Scientists found that the Mediterranean Diet beats diabetic drugs
as a treatment method. It seems that while food may have been a factor
in your diabetes, it may just be food to help you lick your problem.
Even though they suspected that the diet might be good for diabetics, it
wasn't until the results of a long-term study in Naples, Italy that
scientist had proof.
The study involved 215 pudgy
adults with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes. The study divided the
individuals into two groups. The first group had to follow a low fat
diet with whole grains, vegetables and fruits. Their regimen also
included low fat foods, low sugar and no high fat snacks. The second
group followed the Mediterranean diet. They at all the same foods but
included healthy fat such as olive oil.
It focused also on lean protein sources like chicken, nuts and fish.
They did have restrictions on the amount of calories from carbohydrates.
It had to be limited to less than 50 percent of their daily caloric
intake. The Mediterranean diet included 2 to 4 tablespoons of olive oil
every day. Both groups participated in an exercise regimen.
According
to the study published in the "Annals of Internal Medicine" on
September 1, over half the patients no longer required medication to
control their blood sugar. In fact most of them lost more weight and
maintained the weight loss on the Mediterranean diet. They also showed
some improvement in their good cholesterol levels, the HDL, and
triglyceride levels, which also reduced their risk for heart disease.
While both groups showed improvement in all areas including weight loss, those on the Mediterranean diet consistently
out improved the low fat dieters. They had better markers for the
reduction of risk to heart disease, slightly higher weight loss and
improved blood sugar
The group conducting the study
still debate over why there was such good results. The fact that there
were good results on the Mediterranean diet confirmed what they
suspected all along. Some of the researchers feel that the improvement
might have come from lowering the carbohydrate level in the diet. Others
feel that it was the effect of the olive oil that improved the body's
insulin sensitivity. Either way, they're delighted with the results.
Another
article in the German Diabetes Association Journal reviewed several
studies regarding the link between blood glucose levels and people that
consumed diets high in monounsaturated fats like olive oil. All these studies pointed to the fact that those on a high monounsaturated fat diet had lower blood glucose levels.
Some
studies show that the increase in saturated fat also increases the risk
of diabetes. So it's better to replace that stick of melted butter you
love on thick Italian bread with warm olive oil seasoned with garlic.
The garlic is a powerful antioxidant and the olive oil helps your HDL,
triglycerides and diabetes. Best of all, it tastes good too.
So if you want to control your diabetes and help your heart, switch to a, substitute the fat in your diet with olive oil. Since the Mediterranean diet beats diabetes drugs, you might find eating at Luigi's Italian Eatery for all your meals could actually improve your health.
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