Do Low-Carb Diets Help Diabetes?

[Celebration]

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/123/115211.htm

Should people with type 2 diabetesdiabetes follow very low carbohydrate diets? The American Diabetes Association (ADA) says "no", but a small study from Sweden suggests such a diet may be one of the best ways to manage the disease and reduce the need for medication.

In the study, 16 obese patients with type 2 diabetes followed a calorie- and carbohydrate-restricted diet for 22 months. Most showed continuing improvements in blood sugar that were independent of weight lossweight loss; the average daily dosage of insulin among the 11 insulin-dependent patients was cut in half.

...........snip

While agreeing that carbohydrate restriction helps people with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar, ADA spokesman Nathaniel G. Clark, MD, tells WebMD that the ADA does not recommend very low-carb diets because patients find them too restrictive.

"We want to promote a diet that people can live with long-term," says Clark, who is vice president of clinical affairs and youth strategies for the ADA. "People who go on very low carbohydrate diets generally aren't able to stick with them for long periods of time."

[yourout]

1. People generally can not stick on ANY diet for long periods of time.

[JDPriestly]

6. You can reduce consumption of certain types of food forever.

It depends on substituting other foods you enjoy for the foods you stop eating so much of. Eating is a matter of habit. You can change your habits.

[Warpy]

15. Exactly the problem with deficiency diets of any type

people crack and start to gorge on all the forbidden foods. This is dangerous for diabetics.

Even the relatively liberal ADA diets are restrictive enough that diabetics go on occasional "cheats" like a spaghetti dinner, something that probably isn't as bad as consuming a whole cherry cheesecake after being on a super low carb diet for a couple of months.

The safest low carb diets are South Beach and Sugar Busters, both of which have a decent amount of complex carbs and a better expectation of success.

Atkins is the WORST in terms of saturated fats and dietary restrictions.

[KurtNYC]

16. Not true - Kosher diet, vegan diet, etc.

I know people who have been vegetarians for 30 years and they don't have any desire to "not stick to it" Many others eat a kosher diet for life.

[ananda]

2. sheesh

Not recommend a helpful diet because the patient might not be able to follow it? By that logic, they should take away the warnings and restrictions on cigarettes.

Give me a break. Everyone deserves to know the benefits of a diet; whether they follow it or not is up to them.

Sue

[Celebration]

4. just take a guess

Who their major corporate donors are!! (I mean, I have never looked at their 990, but I can just GUESS that we might see Lilly, etc.)

[otohara]

3. Cutting Back on Sugar

in any form is IMO a good thing. I believe the Swedes in this case.

[no_hypocrisy]

5. Introduce, if not increase, soy into diabetic diets to reduce blood sugar.

http://www.talksoy.com/Health/hSoyAndDiabetes.htm

http://www.healthbulletin.org/diabetes/diabetes17.htm

1. edamame (fresh soy beans in pods)
2. tofu
3. soy milk
4. soy flour
5. sea-salted soy beans
6. miso (Japanese fermented soy bean paste)

[JDPriestly]

7. Don't sacrifice, substitute. It works.

[Celebration]

8. Erythritol--sugar substitute

http://www.caloriecontrol.org/erythritol.html

Benefits of Erythritol

Low in calories: Erythritol has a very low caloric content; its value is 0.2 calories per gram for food labeling purposes in the United States and 0 (zero) calories per gram for food labeling purposes in Japan. This very low calorie value is due to erythritol’s unique absorption and elimination process which does not require the metabolism of erythritol. Thus, erythritol is uniquely qualified as a very low calorie bulk sweetener for formulating “light” and “reduced calorie” products which require a 25% or more calorie reduction from the standard formulation.


High digestive tolerance: Erythritol is rapidly absorbed in the small intestine due to its small molecular size and structure. Several clinical studies conducted in Europe and Japan have shown that more than 90% of ingested erythritol is absorbed and excreted unchanged in urine within a 24-hour period. This digestive pathway allows less than 5% of ingested erythritol to reach the large intestine and be fermented into volatile fatty acids or metabolized into carbon dioxide. As a result, foods containing substantial amounts of erythritol are very unlikely to cause gaseous and laxation side effects. A recent clinical study concluded daily consumption of 1 gram per kilogram body weight is well tolerated by adults as compared to sucrose containing foods.


Safe for people with diabetes: Single dose and 14-day clinical studies demonstrate erythritol does not affect blood serum glucose or insulin levels. Clinical studies conducted in people with diabetes conclude that erythritol may be safely used to replace sucrose in foods formulated specifically for people with diabetes. Of course, those with diabetes should consider the impact on their diet of other ingredients used in foods sweetened with erythritol.


Does not cause tooth decay: Erythritol like other polyols is resistant to metabolism by oral bacteria which break down sugars and starches to produce acids which may lead to tooth enamel loss and cavities formation. They are, therefore, non-cariogenic. The usefulness of polyols, including erythritol, as alternatives to sugars and as part of a comprehensive program including proper dental hygiene has been recognized by the American Dental Association. The FDA has approved the use of a "does not promote tooth decay" health claim in labeling for sugar-free foods that contain erythritol or other polyols

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=8933647&query_hl=5&itool=pubmed_docsum

Erythritol (20 g in solution) was administered orally in a single-dose to 5 patients with diabetes. Serum erythritol levels reached a peak 1 hr after administration and then declined rapidly. Total urinary excretion was 82.0 +/- 3.7% within 24 hr and 88.5 +/- 3.3% within 72 hr. Serum glucose and insulin levels remained unchanged until a meal was taken (3 hr after erythritol administration) and then increased. Free fatty acids and 3-hydroxybutyric acid levels increased after erythritol administration but dropped after ingestion of food. In a separate clinical trial, erythritol (20 g) was administered orally daily for 14 days to 11 patients with diabetes. Mean serum glucose and hemoglobin A1c levels decreased over the time period. Indices of renal function-blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and beta 2-microglobulin-did not change significantly. The single dose study suggests that erythritol exerts no significant effects on the metabolism of diabetic patients. Two-week daily administration of erythritol had no adverse effect on blood glucose control.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12207496&query_hl=5&itool=pubmed_docsum

We investigated the effects of erythritol on rats with streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetes mellitus. Oral administration of erythritol <100, 200, or 400 mg (kg body weight)(-1) day(-1) for 10 days> to rats with STZ-induced diabetes resulted in significant decreases in the glucose levels of serum, liver, and kidney. Erythritol also reduced the elevated serum 5-hydroxymethylfurfural level that is glycosylated with protein as an indicator of oxidative stress. In addition, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance levels of serum and liver and kidney mitochondria were dose-dependently lower in the erythritol-treated groups than in the control diabetic group. Furthermore, the serum creatinine level was reduced by oral administration of erythritol in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that erythritol affects glucose metabolism and reduces lipid peroxidation, thereby improving the damage caused by oxidative stress involved in the pathogenesis of diabetes.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

9. The absorption of sugar can be blocked in the intestine, simply

safely and effectively.

www.diabetea.com

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16508237&query_hl=2&itool=pubmed_docsum

1: Yakugaku Zasshi. 2006 Mar;126(3):133-43. Related Articles, Links
Click here to read
Medical benefits of using natural compounds and their derivatives having multiple pharmacological actions.

Kimura I.

Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Toyama, Japan. [e-mail]

The multiple pharmacological actions of a unique compound are a prerequisite for classifying drugs as highly efficacious, because the multiple pharmacological actions offer the possibility of treating various symptoms of chronic diseases as described below. 1) Sustained hyperglycemia induces macrovascular and microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Antihyperglycemic medication and the control of postprandial hyperglycemia are essentially important for normalizing plasma glucose level.

Gymnemic acid IV isolated from Gymnema sylvestre (Asclepiadaceae) leaves has antisweet, antihyperglycemic, glucose uptake inhibitory, and gut glycosidase inhibitory effects. Most of these pharmacological effects may synergistically contribute to alleviating type 2 diabetes-related symptoms. 2) Diabetic skeletal and vascular smooth muscles are hypersensitive to chemical transmitters, cytokines and autacoids. The sensitivity of neuromuscular synapses is enhanced in diabetes, which seems to be closely associated with neuropathy as one of the diabetic complications. beta-Eudesmol found in Atractylodes lancea rhizome has a desensitizing channel blocking action to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, anti-angiogenic action in vascular endothelium, and neuronal differentiation actions. These multiple pharmacological actions are favorable for treating angiogenic diseases possibly including the complications of diabetes, namely, retinopathy and nephropathy, and cancer. 3)

Nipradilol is clinically utilized as a topical antiglaucoma drug. The ocular hypotensive effects of this compound are brought about by its alpha1 and beta-adrenergic receptor blocking actions, and nitric oxide (NO) releasing action. NO directly activates cyclooxygenases. All these pharmacologic effects are beneficial for treating glaucoma. The selectivity and specificity of drug action are required for treating acute diseases, infections or for acting as useful reagents. The pleiotropic actions of natural compounds and their derivatives serve as important clues for developing new drugs for various chronic diseases.

Publication Types:

* Review


PMID: 16508237

[ChristianLibrul]

10. Weight loss is vital

Do whatever helps you lose weight. A modified Atkins program worked for me. I was diagnosed with Type 2 about four months ago. After losing 50 pounds (quickly for me), my diabetes has almost disappeared. In another 50 pounds, which I also need to lose, the prognosis is total disappearance.

[lavenderdiva]

12. Hey, ChristianLibrul! a belated Welcome to DU to you!

Would you please share your modified Atkins program with me? What did you do? How long did it take you to lose the 50lbs? I am anxious to lose approx. 80-90lbs, and have tried Atkins before. I had good luck with the Atkins program, while on it. I lost weight, didn't feel hungry or anxious- I felt satisfied. However, at some point, I found it hard to stay on, and reverted to my carb-eating ways. I am trying to avoid getting type 2 diabetes, and need to shed this weight.... Any help would be appreciated! ! :hi:

[illflem]

11. Don't forget to cut out the corn syrup also

it's in almost everything.
Beside diet and exercise this herbal supplement has worked for lots of folks in lowering their blood sugar.
http://www.vitabase.com/products/bloodsugar.asp

[Nikia]

13. My grandfather has had type 2 diabetes for around 50 years

He is 92 years old. He takes oral medication for it. He has not had any amputations or blindness.
When I was growing up, I never saw him eat anything with added sugar like cookies or pie. He did eat boiled potatoes (which I guess are better sugar wise than baked or fried potatoes), whole wheat bread, some fruits, and most cooked vegtables. He occaisionally had rice and air popped popcorn. He had no other carbohydrates. He also ate lean meat.
My father-in-law, on the otherhand, is in his early 60s and eats like a normal American. He has had to have both legs amputated and has other health problems.
I am sure that everyone is physically different to begin with but I do wonder if diet has something to do with it.

[benEzra]

14. Eating fairly low-carb (South Beach Diet style)

has helped my wife immensely with reactive (postprandial) hypoglycemia, which is closely related to Type 2 diabetes (which runs in her family). A single high-carb meal can screw her up for days.