Lower Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load Diets May Prevent Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes
An article in Medical News Today, March 10, 2008, stated that the first meta-analysis had been conducted between the glycemic index (g.i.), glycemic load (g.l.) and risk of diabetes/heart disease. However, an earlier meta-analysis was found in Diabetes Care, 2003. In the meta-analysis done in 2003, 356 subjects were looked at for HbA1c and fructosamine as it related to blood sugar control while eating low g.i. foods. Systematically taking out each study did not change the results. The conclusion from this study was that low g.i. foods had a small, but useful effect on medium term glycemic control on patients with diabetes. The benefits were the same as if a pharmacological approach had been taken.
This study was followed up by the study mentioned in Medical News Today and published in the March 1, 2008 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. This study looked at chronic disease, glycemic load, and glycemic index .This meta-analysis examined 37 prospective trials in a cohort of nearly two million healthy men and women nationwide. The results mirrored the smaller 2003 study and, in addition, found positive effects of the foods on heart disease and cancer. The cohort size was substantial, so the results of this study are exciting.
Conclusions:
Low g.i. /g.l. foods help control blood sugars and insulin with good evidence also linking them to pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes development prevention and control. There is also a consistent link between glucose, insulin, and insulin-like growth factor- 1 and cancer. According to this most recent study, consuming low g.i. /g.l foods may prevent some types of cancer development. Other researchers have found a high g.i. diet to reduce HDLs and increase LDLs, thus promoting heart disease risk. The findings support the hypothesis that higher postprandial glycemia is a universal mechanism for disease progression. As a matter of application, the low g.i. diet was mentioned as a favorable treatment modality in the recent American Diabetes Association guidelines on Medical Nutrition Care released January of 2008.
Application:
Applications:
We believe that a g.i. of 45 or less is good and may have significant health benefits. The glycemic index of a food can be found online at http://glycemcindex.com/. You can also look for the term glycemic index on the label, look the food up in the computer or carry a list to the grocery store. In general, these are the low sugar, high fiber foods, but don’t be fooled. Check out http://www.nutritiondata.com/topics/glycemic-index to learn more about g.i. /g.l. foods and start eating a better diet to prevent cancer, diabetes and lower your risk for heart disease!
About the Author
Kathy Shattler received her Master of Science degree from Michigan State University in E. Lansing Michigan in Human Nutrition. Her twenty-two years of practice includes holding positions as a Lecturer, Chief Clinical Dietitian and Program Manager. Kathy is the Founder of Nutri-Care Consulting and is currently the Nutrition Director of www.CEU4U.COM, an online continuing education management company for Registered Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians.
Weight Loss responds:
Posted: April 20th, 2008 at 6:15 pm →
Weight Loss…
Hi - just wanted to say good design and blog - cu Frank…
Kathy J. Shattler, M.S.,RD responds:
Posted: April 21st, 2008 at 12:34 pm →
Frank,
Thank you for your kind comments.
Kathy