If your fasting blood sugar exceeds 5.6, beware of prediabetes!

Prediabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal but do not yet meet the diagnostic criteria for type 2 diabetes.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines prediabetes as a fasting blood glucose level of 6.1-6.9mmol/L, while the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) believes that a fasting blood glucose level of above 7.0 mmol/L is considered abnormal.

A research team of cardiologists from Shunde First People's Hospital, Southern Medical University in China conducted a meta-analysis of 53 studies involving more than 1.6 million people and found that risk assessment of prediabetes should be reviewed. They found that the risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause death in prediabetes increased when fasting blood glucose levels were as low as 5.6 mmol/L. This corresponds to the lower fasting blood glucose level cutoff proposed by the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

Therefore, when your fasting blood sugar level exceeds 5.6mmol/L, you should be alert to the existence of prediabetes. Regular screening of blood sugar levels, a balanced diet and regular exercise are effective ways to prevent prediabetes.