From the Guidelines
Effective diabetes management requires a comprehensive approach that prioritizes lifestyle modifications, medication adherence, and regular monitoring to improve morbidity, mortality, and quality of life outcomes. The most recent and highest quality study, 1, suggests that combining technology such as continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), insulin pumps, and/or diabetes apps with online or virtual coaching can improve glycemic outcomes in individuals with diabetes or prediabetes. Key components of this approach include:
- Maintaining a balanced diet rich in vegetables, lean proteins, and complex carbohydrates while limiting refined sugars and processed foods, as recommended by 1 and 1.
- Engaging in regular physical activity of at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise to improve insulin sensitivity and glucose control, as suggested by 1.
- Monitoring blood glucose levels with a frequency determined by diabetes type and treatment regimen, typically 1-4 times daily for those on insulin.
- Adhering to medication regimens, which may include oral medications like metformin, SGLT-2 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, or insulin, with dosing individualized based on the patient's needs and response.
- Regular medical check-ups every 3-6 months to allow for treatment adjustments and monitoring of complications.
- Prioritizing adequate sleep, stress management, and maintaining proper foot care and eye examinations as important components of overall diabetes management. These strategies work together to maintain blood glucose levels within target ranges, reducing the risk of both short-term complications like hypoglycemia and long-term complications such as cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, and retinopathy, ultimately improving morbidity, mortality, and quality of life outcomes for individuals with diabetes.
From the FDA Drug Label
High blood sugar can be lowered by diet and exercise, and by certain medicines when necessary.
The recommended strategies for improving diabetes management in individuals with diabetes include:
- Diet: to lower blood sugar
- Exercise: to lower blood sugar
- Medicines: when necessary, to lower blood sugar 2, 2, 2
From the Research
Recommended Strategies for Improving Diabetes Management
The following strategies are recommended for improving diabetes management in individuals with diabetes:
- Dietary education interventions, which have been shown to be effective in controlling HbA1c levels 3
- Individualized education, which has been found to be more effective than group education 3
- Combining diet, exercise, and psychosocial intervention, which has been shown to be more effective than diet education alone 3
- Office-based interventions, which can be brief and practical, and can prompt both patients and providers to focus on behavioral issues relevant to dietary self-management 4
- Patient empowerment, which involves respecting individuals' self-perceived needs and voluntary choices, and promoting health whilst allowing patients to take greater control over the treatment of their disease 5
Key Components of Effective Diabetes Education
Effective diabetes education should include the following key components:
- Awareness about diabetes dietary practices and lifestyle 6
- Goal setting and problem-solving assistance 4
- Immediate feedback on key issues to patients and providers 4
- Follow-up components, such as phone calls and videotape or interactive video instruction 4
- A focus on patient empowerment and autonomy 5
Importance of Lifestyle Interventions
Lifestyle interventions, including dietary changes and physical activity, are crucial for effective diabetes management 7. Metformin, a biguanide that decreases blood glucose concentration, can be used as first-line pharmacotherapy to treat people with type 2 diabetes, and is usually well tolerated 7. However, lifestyle interventions should always be used in addition to medication, and patients should be educated on the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle to manage their diabetes effectively.