Dr. Jianlin Wu, an internist with the Rendr Medical Group in New York, emphasizes the importance of improving lifestyle habits and routine check-ups to reduce the risk of disease. While many are aware that diabetes can have a hereditary component, Dr. Wu raises an intriguing point: did you know that diabetes can also be “contagious”?
According to Dr. Wu, both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are closely linked to genetics. If a parent or sibling has a history of diabetes, your risk of developing the condition increases. Interestingly, even if there is no blood relationship, if one spouse has diabetes, the other may also face a higher risk.
Dr. Wu explains this phenomenon stems from couples often sharing similar lifestyles, which can lead to unhealthy habits. For instance, if both partners enjoy high-sugar, high-fat foods or lead sedentary lives, it creates a conducive environment for diabetes to “spread” among them. These unhealthy lifestyle choices can also be passed down from parents to children, compounding the risk factors for future generations alongside genetics.
Even if someone has a family history of diabetes, there are ways to mitigate this risk through healthier living. Dr. Wu recommends the following strategies:
1. **Healthy Eating:** Opt for fresh whole grains, fruits, and vegetables while avoiding high-sugar, high-fat, low-fiber foods, as well as processed items and alcohol.
2. **Regular Exercise:** Aim for at least 150 minutes of aerobic activity each week, such as brisk walking, tai chi, or swimming. A good benchmark for exercise intensity is feeling slightly out of breath but still able to maintain a conversation.
3. **Weight and Waist Management:** Strive to keep your body mass index (BMI) within the range of 18.5 to 23.9 kg/m². It’s also essential to monitor waist circumference to prevent central obesity, with measurements ideally being less than 85 cm for women and less than 90 cm for men.
4. **Routine Health Screenings:** While home glucose monitors can provide some insight, they often yield variable results due to their reliance on fingertip blood samples. Dr. Wu advises scheduling routine check-ups every six months to a year to assess hemoglobin A1c levels via a venous blood draw. This test reflects blood sugar levels over the past three months and provides a more accurate picture of one’s glucose control.
In addition to these lifestyle modifications, managing stress and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule are critical for both preventing and managing diabetes. Dr. Jianlin Wu sees patients at two locations under Rendr and invites anyone interested to call for an appointment. The offices are located at 839 58th Street, 5th Floor, Brooklyn, with the phone number: (347) 770-8009; and 2486 85th Street, Brooklyn, phone: (646) 854-3624.
