While it is true, genetics and family history play a major role in whether or not an individual develops Type 2 diabetes, it does not mean it is an absolute.
There are ways to hold the disease at bay and prevent it from continuing its descent through the family.
Type 2 diabetes is known as the silent disease because it usually sneaks up on you without warning.
It often starts with feelings of extreme tiredness, or a need to eat even though you really feel full.
It sometimes shows up as blurry vision, or you might have a headache that lingers even though you have taken medication to get rid of it.
You might find you have a cut or sore that doesn't heal.
And guess what, these symptoms are often put down to other issues, such as getting older, or overworking.
Knowing there is a history of Type 2 diabetes in the family is a distinct advantage.
Unfortunately, many people develop the disease and are not aware there is a problem until they receive their diabetes diagnosis.
And by then the damage has already commenced and it has come down to maintenance instead of just prevention.
If a parent has diabetes then his or her children are more at risk.
If both parents have developed Type 2 diabetes, then the odds are magnified tremendously.
But, again, that doesn't mean it is definitely a sentence.
Although some factors cannot be helped, there are others which contribute to the disease and can be eliminated.
Unlike Type 1 diabetes, which usually begins before the age of 20 when the pancreas fails to produce insulin for the body to process energy, Type 2 diabetes generally begins after the age of 30 and is caused by weight gain and physical inactivity.
With sugar building up in your blood, your blood becomes thick and difficult for your heart to circulate.
High blood sugar in the blood clogs arteries, leading to:

• heart attacks,
• strokes, and
• a number of other very serious health issues.
  

Since blood sugar is the culprit here, maintaining a healthy diet is essential.
Adding plant foods such as nuts, soy foods, olive oil, flaxseed and avocado, that contribute some fat and/or protein to your meals seem to help minimize high blood sugars.
Higher soluble fiber plant foods will also help minimize high blood sugar levels from high carbohydrate meals.
For example, before you eat the main meal, have:

• a cup of vegetable or bean soup,
• a green salad with raw vegetables and kidney beans,
• a small serving of oat bran before eating a problematic breakfast,
• any other high fiber vegetables.
  

Keeping your intake of unhealthy carbohydrates down is critical to success.
If this one factor can be controlled then the rest will play out much easier.
Portion control is also a pivotal point.
Excessive weight is like opening the door to this disease, since the vast majority of Type 2 sufferers are overweight.
But it isn't just the weight itself that is the problem, but also the location of it.
Having excess fat around the abdominal area, especially for men, increases the chances of developing Type 2 diabetes considerably.
But mealtime is crucial not only in the amount and type of foods eaten, but also the frequency.
There should never be a long span of time between meals as this taxes the body and makes it stress over the limited food that is available for processing.
Moderately spaced meals, as well as snacks, are important.
And people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes are often advised to not skip either one.
Another key element of combating the effects of diabetes is exercise.
Exercise helps you to keep a strong pulmonary and cardiovascular system; it also is especially important if you're trying to get fit while also losing weight.
It will also help to prevent many other conditions that might not be directly related to diabetes, but can cause complications that will affect the severity of the disease.
The link between a family history of Type 2 diabetes and your risk of developing it is clear...
but it is not necessarily inevitable.