Guest guest Posted April 4, 2003 Report Share Posted April 4, 2003 Choose Your Fats: Diabetes & Weight Gain Apr 04, 2003 11:21 PST Diabetes In this discussion, diabetes refers to diabetes mellitus. Other forms of diabetes (such as diabetes insipidus)are not included. People with diabetes cannot properly process glucose, a sugar the body uses for energy. As a result, glucose stays in the blood, causing blood glucose to rise. At the same time, however, the cells of the body can be starved for glucose. Diabetes can lead to poor wound healing, higher risk of infections, and many other problems involving the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart. There are two types of diabetes mellitus. Childhood-onset diabetes is also called type 1, or insulin-dependent, diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas cannot make the insulin needed to process glucose. Adult-onset diabetes is also called type 2, or non-insulin- dependent, diabetes. With type 2 diabetes, the pancreas often makes enough insulin, but the body has trouble using the insulin. Type 2 diabetes responds well to natural therapies. People with diabetes have a high risk for heart disease and atherosclerosis. In addition, those with diabetes have a higher mortality rate if they have high homocysteine levels as well. Checklist for Diabetes Rating Nutritional Supplements Herbs Alpha lipoic acid Brewer's yeast (providing approximately 60 mcg of chromium per tablespoon) Chromium Evening primrose oil Fiber Magnesium Cayenne (topical for neuropathy) Fenugreek (seeds) Psyllium Biotin Coenzyme Q10 L-carnitine Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Vitamin B6 (gestational diabetes only) Vitamin E (for prevention of retrolental fibroplasia in premature infants, and for prevention of diabetic retinopathy) Zinc (preferably for those with a documented deficiency) Aloe vera Bilberry Bitter melon Gymnema Sylvestre Hairy Basil (seed) Holy Basil (leaf) Onion Fish oil (EPA/ DHA) Following are associated with diabetic retinopathy: Selenium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E (combined) Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) Inositol Manganese Medium chain triglycerides Quercetin Taurine Vanadium (for type 2 diabetes) Vitamin B12 Vitamin D Vitamin E (associated with abetalipoproteinemia) Eleuthero Ginkgo biloba Olive leaf Reishi Dietary changes that may be helpful: The relationship between eating carbohydrates and type 2 diabetes is a complex issue. While eating carbohydrates increases the need for insulin to keep blood sugar normal, diets high in total complex carbohydrates do not necessarily increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. Years ago, one researcher reported an increase in diabetes among Yemenite Jews who had migrated from a region where no sugar was eaten to one in which they ate a diet including sugar. However, other factors, such as " weight gain " , may explain the increased risk of diabetes that occurred in this group. Eating carbohydrate-containing foods, whether high in sugar or high in starch (such as breads with hydrogenated fats, processed breakfast cereals), temporarily raises blood sugar and insulin levels. The blood sugar-raising effect of a food, called its " glycemic index, " depends on how rapidly its carbohydrate is absorbed. Many starchy foods have a glycemic index similar to sucrose (table sugar). People eating large amounts of foods with high glycemic indices (such as those mentioned above), have been reported to be at increased risk of type 2 diabetes. On the other hand, eating a diet high in carbohydrate-rich foods with low glycemic indices is associated with a low risk of type 2 diabetes. Beans, peas, fruit, and oats, have low glycemic indices, despite their high carbohydrate content, due mostly to the health-promoting effects of " soluble " fiber. Diabetes disrupts the mechanisms by which the body controls blood sugar. Most doctors recommend that people with diabetes cut intake of sugar from snacks and processed foods, and replace these foods with high- fiber, whole foods. This tends to lower the glycemic index of the overall diet and has the additional benefit of increasing vitamin, mineral, and fiber intake. A high-fiber diet has been shown to work better in controlling diabetes than the diet recommended by the ADA, and may control blood sugar levels as well as oral diabetes drugs. In this study, the increase in dietary fiber was accomplished exclusively through the consumption of foods naturally high in fiber—such as leafy green vegetables, organic granola, and fruit—to a level beyond that recommended by the ADA. No fiber supplements were given. All participants received both the ADA diet (providing 24 grams of fiber per day) and the high- fiber diet (providing 50 grams of fiber per day), for a period of six weeks. After six weeks of following each diet, tests were performed to determine blood glucose, insulin, cholesterol, triglyceride, and other values. When glucose levels were monitored over a 24-hour period, participants eating the high-fiber diet had an average glucose level that was 10% lower than participants eating the ADA diet. Insulin levels were 12% lower in the group eating the high-fiber diet compared to the group eating the ADA diet, indicating a beneficial increase in the body's sensitivity to insulin. Moreover, people eating the high-fiber diet experienced significant reductions in total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL ( " bad " ) cholesterol compared to those eating the ADA diet. They also had slight decreases in glycosylated hemoglobin, a measure of chronically high blood glucose levels. High-fiber supplements, such as psyllium, guar gum (found in beans),24 pectin (from fruit) oat bran, and psyllium have improved glucose tolerance in some studies. Positive results have also been reported with the consumption of 1–3 ounces of powdered fenugreek seeds per day.29 30 A review of the research revealed that the extent to which moderate amounts of fiber help people with diabetes in the long term is still unknown, and the lack of many long-term studies has led some researchers to question the importance of fiber in improving diabetes. Nonetheless, most doctors advise people with diabetes to eat a diet high in fiber. Focus should be placed on vegetables, seeds, oats, and whole- grain products. Eating fish also may afford some protection from diabetes. Incorporating a fish meal into a weight-loss regimen was more effective than either measure alone at improving glucose and insulin metabolism and high cholesterol. Vegetarians have been reported to have a low risk of type 2 diabetes. When people with diabetic nerve damage switch to a vegan diet (no meat, dairy, or eggs), improvements have been reported after several days. In one trial, pain completely disappeared in 17 of 21 people. Fats from meat and dairy also contribute to abnormally high triglyceride and homocysteine levels leading to heart disease, the leading killer of people with diabetes. Vegetarians also eat less protein than do meat eaters. The reduction of protein intake has lowered kidney damage caused by diabetes and may also improve glucose tolerance. Diets high in fat, especially saturated fat, worsen glucose tolerance and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, an effect that is simply the result of weight gain caused by eating high-fat foods. Saturated fat is found primarily in meat, dairy fat, and the dark meat and skins of poultry. In contrast, glucose intolerance has been improved by diets high in " monounsaturated " oils,which may be good for people with diabetes. There is often difficulty in changing the overall percentage of calories from fat and carbohydrates in the diets of people with type 1 diabetes. However, modifying the quality of the dietary fat is achievable. In adolescents with type 1 diabetes, increasing " monounsaturated " fats (fat in almonds, extra-virgin olive oils and avocadoes) relative to other fats in the diet is associated with better control over blood sugar and cholesterol levels. The easiest way to incorporate monounsaturates into the diet is to use extra-virgin olive oil. Should children avoid milk to prevent type 1 diabetes? Worldwide, children whose dietary energy comes primarily from dairy (or meat) products have a significantly higher chance of developing type 1 diabetes than do children whose dietary energy comes primarily from vegetable sources. Countries with high milk consumption have a high risk of type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes. Animal research also indicates that avoiding milk affords protection from type 1 diabetes. Milk contains a protein related to a protein in the pancreas, the organ where insulin is made. Some researchers believe that children who are allergic to milk may develop antibodies that attack the pancreas, causing type 1 diabetes. Several studies have linked cows' milk consumption to the occurrence of type 1 diabetes in children. Some children who drink cows' milk produce antibodies to the milk, and it has been hypothesized that these antibodies can cross-react with and damage the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. Preliminary studies have found that early introduction of cows' milk formula feeding increases the risk of developing type 1 diabetes. This research supports abstaining from dairy products in infancy and early childhood, particularly for children with a family history of type 1 diabetes. Recent research also suggests a possible link between milk consumption in infancy and an increased risk of type 2 (non-insulin- dependent) diabetes. Lifestyle changes that may be helpful: Most people with type 2 diabetes are overweight. Excess abdominal weight does not stop insulin formation, but it does make the body less sensitive to insulin. Excess weight can even make healthy people pre- diabetic. Weight loss reverses this problem. In most studies, type 2 diabetes has improved with weight loss. Increased weight gain in infancy has been associated with a one-and- a half-fold increase in the risk of developing type 1 diabetes in childhood. Being overweight also increases the need for insulin. Therefore, people with type 1 diabetes should achieve and maintain appropriate body weight. Exercise helps decrease body fat and improve insulin sensitivity. People who exercise are less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who do not. However, exercise can induce low blood sugar or even occasionally increased blood sugar. Moreover, a preliminary study has shown that long-term physical activity was not associated with control of blood glucose in people with type 1 diabetes. Therefore, people with diabetes should never begin an intensive exercise program without consulting a healthcare professional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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