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Fiber,
Type II Diabetes and the Syndrome X Connection |
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Some
conditions are better managed with conventional medicine, and
others have a better success rate using a natural approach. Type
II diabetes appears to have an affinity for the natural, with
remarkable gains reported. However, natural methods have little
chance of succeeding without patient participation. This means
the patient must refuse inappropriate foodstuffs, make time for
exercise, and maintain weight within healthy standards.
Diabetics should never blame themselves for their illness, but
when the condition becomes manageable, the patient can
justifiably claim much of the credit. |
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Results of the
Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study (presented at the American
Diabetes Association's 60th Annual Scientific Session in June
2000) illustrate the patient principle, i.e., the patient
accepting much of the responsibility for the outcome of the
disease process. The study showed that lifestyle modification (a
structured dietary and exercise program) reduced the incidence
of Type II diabetes by 58% in people at high risk for the
disease. |
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It is
difficult to overstate the benefits garnered from fiber in
regard to blood glucose control. Eating a diet rich in high
fiber foods has spared countless individuals the risks imposed
by chronically elevated blood glucose and the rigors of
aggressive anti-diabetic therapy. |
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A study
reported in the
New England Journal of Medicine
involved diabetic patients consuming a
diet supplying
25 grams of soluble fiber and 25
grams of insoluble. (This amount is about double the amount that
is currently recommended by the ADA.)
The fiber was derived from foodstuffs, with no emphasis
placed on special or unusual fiber-fortified foods or fiber
supplements. After 6 weeks, tests revealed that the high fiber
diet had
reduced blood glucose levels by an average
of 10%; equally important, levels of circulating insulin were
also reduced
(Chandalia
et al. 2000). |
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Fiber is also
valuable to persons on diets because it produces a feeling of
satiety, negating the desire to overeat. |
