Losing weight may not be enough to prevent Type 2 diabetes
Around 115 million Americans have prediabetes. Fortunately, for most (58%), losing as little as 5% to 7% of their body weight can reduce their risk of going on to develop full-blown Type 2 diabetes.
But there are folks with prediabetes for whom weight loss alone doesn't prevent progression to Type 2 diabetes. A study in the journal Diabetes reveals that people who have fatty liver disease (that's 100 million Americans) and develop insulin resistance as a result of that condition need a more personalized approach to prevent rising blood glucose levels, declining insulin secretion, and a persistently high risk of Type 2 diabetes.
Step 1: Ask your doctor for blood tests and other examinations that determine your A1c (blood glucose average over three months), check for insulin resistance, and provide images that can reveal fatty liver disease, aka MASLD.
Step 2: If you have prediabetes and MASLD, work with your doctor and my AI coaching program at 4YOUngevity.com to develop a personalized lifestyle makeover. That includes a plant-based nutritional plan free of added sugars, red and red processed meats and ultra-processed foods, and an aerobic and strength-building exercise routine. They will help manage blood sugar and ease liver-damaging inflammation. (You'll also lose weight.) Also ask your doctor about three medications, resmetirom, semaglutide or tirzepatide, which can help reduce the amount of fat and scarring in the liver.
You can reduce or avoid the far-reaching health risks that pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes and MASLD inflict. So get your diagnostic tests today.
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at drmikerealage@gmail.com.
(c)2026 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2026 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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