Exercise

• In addition to the benefits of weight loss, exercise allows the body use insulin more effectively, keeping blood sugar in check. According to a study cited by the Mayo Clinic, losing 5 to 10 percent of one's initial weight reduced diabetes risk by 58 percent over a three-year period.
  
  

Diet

• Limiting carbohydrate intake by counting carbs at each meal is important when treating diabetes through diet. To achieve this goal, doctors will emphasize the consumption of high-fiber, low-in-fat foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds over meats and sugary products.
  
  

Medications and Insulin

• Metformin is usually the first drug prescribed by physicians to lower blood glucose if diet and exercise do not successfully manage the disease, and often more than one drug may be used. Patients may also require insulin injections if the pancreas does not generate enough hormone. Type 1 diabetes can only be controlled through insulin therapy.
  
  

Other Treatment Methods

• According to the Mayo Clinic, individuals who have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 35 may benefit from bariatric surgery. Blood sugar decreases to an acceptable level in 55 percent to 95 percent in these cases.
  
  

Prevention Tips

• Because the sedentary lifestyle and obesity are primary contributors to the development of diabetes, a good first step towards prevention is through physical activity (by including an aerobic and strengthening component) and modifications in diet. In addition, the American Diabetes Association recommends that high risk adults age 45 or older seek blood glucose screening.