DOH promotes diabetes prevention through proper nutrition, healthy living

Department of Health Central Luzon Center for Health Development Senior Health Program Officer Agnes Alipio emphasizes that proper nutrition, an active lifestyle, and early screening are key to preventing diabetes complications. (Maria Caroline A. Lopez/PIA 3 GIP)

CABANATUAN CITY (PIA) — The Department of Health (DOH) promotes preventive measures and advocates proper nutrition, regular physical activity, and healthy lifestyle practices to help lower the risk of developing diabetes and related complications.

DOH Central Luzon Center for Health Development Senior Health Program Officer Agnes Alipio explained that diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition in which the body fails to regulate blood sugar.

“Diabetes mellitus is a health condition that affects how the body uses sugar or glucose for energy, since almost everything we eat is converted into glucose,” she said.

She added that glucose is the body’s main energy source, and insulin enables cells to absorb it for fuel, but diabetes occurs when the pancreas produces too little insulin or the body becomes resistant, causing consistently high blood sugar levels.

She identified three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.

Alipio said that adults with obesity, sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets, high blood pressure, or a family history of diabetes face higher risks.

Common symptoms include excessive thirst, frequent urination, persistent hunger, blurred vision, fatigue, and slow-healing wounds.

Alipio warned that uncontrolled diabetes may lead to heart disease, kidney failure, nerve damage, vision loss, or serious limb complications.

She urged adults with risk factors, pregnant women, and symptomatic individuals to undergo regular screening using standard tools such as fasting blood sugar, random blood sugar, oral glucose tolerance tests, and HbA1c for early detection.

Alipio said that preventing diabetes complications requires proper nutrition, an active lifestyle, and early screening, advising adults to eat a balanced diet of vegetables, low-sugar fruits, fish, and whole grains while avoiding sugary and fatty foods to maintain healthy blood sugar.

“Diabetes is a manageable condition with the right knowledge, discipline, and self-care. It is not a barrier to living actively; proper nutrition, regular exercise, and taking prescribed medication are key,” she said.

Alipio added that local health centers and government hospitals offer free or subsidized blood sugar testing, and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s YAKAP program provides the same, along with free medication at accredited facilities.

The DOH continues to promote early detection of diabetes, provide accurate health information, offer free blood sugar tests and early screening, and encourage regular exercise, a healthy lifestyle, and proper nutrition to prevent diabetes-related complications. (CLJD/MCAL, PIA Region 3-Nueva Ecija GIP)