This plain language summary explains lifestyle changes that can improve prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in adults or put type 2 diabetes into remission (no longer needing medications to control blood sugar). These changes are based on the 6 pillars of lifestyle medicine, namely plant-predominant nutrition, physical activity, stress management, restorative sleep, social connectedness, and avoiding risky substances. The summary is written explicitly for people with diabetes or prediabetes as a companion publication to the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) clinical practice guideline Lifestyle Interventions for Treatment and Remission of Type 2 Diabetes and Prediabetes in Adults. The purpose of this summary is to provide information to help people make decisions together with their healthcare providers regarding lifestyle changes and their important role in preventing and managing type 2 diabetes. Guidelines and their recommendations may not apply to everyone, but they do identify the best practices that can be used to improve overall health and your ability to make evidence-informed healthcare decisions.
Keywords: clinical practice guideline; gestational diabetes mellitus; health coaching; lifestyle interventions; lifestyle medicine; nutrition; patient education; prediabetes; type 2 diabetes.
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