Common warning signs like weight loss, blurred vision or feeling thirsty all the time aren't present in pre-diabetes.
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"Starting at age 45, we should be screening every three years for type 2 diabetes. However, some people are at risk even earlier than that," endocrinologist Dr. Amber Champion said.
A study out of the New England Journal of Medicine found something more effective than any drug in reducing diabetes risk, especially if you're pre-diabetic.
"Losing weight can really be beneficial in preventing the onset or delaying the onset of diabetes for many years," Champion said.
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Champion said if you're overweight, try to reduce your body weight even just by 5 percent. Exercise at least 30 minutes, five times a week, and cutback on sugary drinks, she said.
Other tips he offered: try to make vegetables about 50 percent of each meal and increase the amount of fiber you eat.
Doctors said making these changes could reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by as much as 58 percent.