Why are people over 50 susceptible to diabetes?

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that more than 25% of adults over the age of 65 in the US are living with diabetes. In addition, many others are in the pre-diabetic stage without knowing it, according to the US health website Healthline .

Weightlifting will help people over 50 avoid muscle loss, thereby preventing the risk of diabetes.

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Aging is a natural factor that increases the risk of type 2 diabetes. People over 50 years old are susceptible to diabetes due to the following specific causes:

Insulin resistance increases with age

As a person ages, the body's cells become less responsive to insulin, the hormone that moves glucose from the blood into cells for energy. As a result, blood sugar levels rise.

A study in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that insulin sensitivity declines about 1% per year after age 30 and continues to decline more rapidly after age 50–60.

Loss of muscle mass

Muscles play an important role in the metabolism of sugar. As a person ages, the amount of muscle mass in the body decreases. This is called age-related muscle wasting.

With less muscle, the ability to absorb glucose decreases, causing blood sugar imbalance. The National Institute on Aging notes that muscle loss is one of the main causes of insulin resistance in older adults.

Weight gain, fat distribution changes

Many people gain weight as they age. The extra weight is fat, especially belly fat and visceral fat. Visceral fat is the fat that surrounds the internal organs and is closely linked to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. According to the Harvard School of Public Health , visceral fat causes inflammation and disrupts insulin action.

Accumulated from unhealthy lifestyle

Years of unhealthy eating, lack of exercise, smoking, or excessive drinking begin to take their toll after middle age. These factors, when combined, significantly increase the risk of chronic disease, including diabetes. Stress and sleep disturbances also disrupt blood sugar regulation.

To reduce the risk of diabetes, people over 50 need to eat a healthy diet with lots of whole grains, lean meats, healthy fats, and high-fiber fruits and vegetables. They also need to exercise regularly, especially cardio and muscle-strengthening exercises like weightlifting. Regular health check-ups will help detect abnormalities in the body early and intervene promptly, according to Healthline .

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tai-sao-nguoi-tren-50-tuoi-lai-de-bi-tieu-duong-185250424133406657.htm