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Mediterranean diet good for diabetes, study shows
San Jose Mercury News ^ | 02/06/2013 | Kathryn Doyle

Posted on 02/06/2013 11:49:11 PM PST by neverdem

Diets lean on meat and rich in healthy fats like olive oil were most effective at promoting weight loss and lowering blood sugar among people with diabetes in a review of evidence from the last 10 years.

Benefits were also seen with diets low in carbohydrates, high in protein or low in simple sugars.

"If you look at different types of diets, these four can improve various aspects of diabetes control," lead author Dr. Olubukola Ajala, a diabetes specialist at Western Sussex Hospitals in the UK, told Reuters Health.

More than 24 million Americans have type 2 diabetes. People with the disease cannot store glucose in their cells effectively, and their blood sugar levels can go dangerously high. Lifestyle changes like weight loss and cutting calorie intake can improve blood sugar control and reduce the risk of complications from the disease, but it has not been clear which diet plans work best.

Ajala and her colleagues reviewed the results of 20 studies comparing the effect of seven popular diets on adults with type 2 diabetes. Mediterranean diets, low-carb diets, high-protein diets and low glycemic index diets - which rank foods by how quickly their carbs turn into glucose - all lowered participants' blood sugar.

After following the diet for at least six months, the people on a Mediterranean eating plan also lost an average of 4 pounds. No other diet had a significant impact on weight, according to the findings published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

"We were quite surprised by the Mediterranean diet in particular," Ajala said. "I would have thought that low-carb would have been the best for losing weight, but Mediterranean seems to be better."

A Mediterranean-style diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables and legumes, whole grains, fish, and using olive oil and herbs in place of...

(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Testing
KEYWORDS: diabetes; diet; health; mediterraneandiet; nutrition; type2diabetes
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Systematic review and meta-analysis of different dietary approaches to the management of type 2 diabetes

Conclusion: Low-carbohydrate, low-GI, Mediterranean, and high-protein diets are effective in improving various markers of cardiovascular risk in people with diabetes and should be considered in the overall strategy of diabetes management.

1 posted on 02/06/2013 11:49:24 PM PST by neverdem
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To: neverdem

Thanks for the thread. I’ll check this out tomorrow.

Um. Later today. :)


2 posted on 02/07/2013 12:00:18 AM PST by Brad’s Gramma (Psalm 83)
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To: neverdem

i try to eat a Mediterranean diet as much as possible... olive oil, red wine... colorful veggies... and protein—including meat...


3 posted on 02/07/2013 12:03:57 AM PST by latina4dubya ( self-proclaimed tequila snob)
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To: austinmark; FreedomCalls; IslandJeff; JRochelle; MarMema; Txsleuth; Newtoidaho; texas booster; ...
Fighting fat with fat: Stem cell discovery identifies potential obesity treatment

FReepmail me if you want on or off the diabetes ping list.

P.S. Check the link in comment# 1 about diet.

4 posted on 02/07/2013 12:05:33 AM PST by neverdem ( Xin loi min oi)
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To: neverdem
Not sure that this is a truly Mediterranean diet. My mother was from Italy in the region south of Rome. Her people ate carbs (pasta, bread, etc.), but in reasonable quantities. For example, pasta was a side dish, not a full dinner plate. Veal was a staple. In the old country, veal is cheap and plentiful, and they don't have PETA raising a ruckus. Mom didn't have diabetes and she was never overweight.
5 posted on 02/07/2013 12:33:31 AM PST by fatnotlazy
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To: latina4dubya

I am finding out walking on a treadmill 4-5 times a week for 25 minutes helps me more than any diet. I am Medicare age, my blood pressure and sugar levels also improve with that exercise routine.


6 posted on 02/07/2013 12:34:44 AM PST by entropy12 (The republic is doomed when people figure out they can get free stuff by voting democrats)
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To: neverdem

low carb health bump


7 posted on 02/07/2013 1:53:33 AM PST by Taffini ( Mr. Pippen and Mr. Waffles do not approve and neither do I)
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To: entropy12
I am finding out walking on a treadmill 4-5 times a week for 25 minutes helps me more than any diet. I am Medicare age, my blood pressure and sugar levels also improve with that exercise routine.

for me it's 80 percent what i eat and 20 percent exercise... at 47 years old, 5'5" i weighed 125 lbs last summer... not bad... looked pretty good... but i decided that before i got any older i was going to have a flat tummy... no amount exercise was going to do that... to get it would depend on what i ate... i now weigh 113 lbs and have a very different body... i look much younger... clothes look really good on me...

i don't "diet" so to speak... i eat well 5 days a week and indulge 2 days a week... i have been exercising regularly for the last 5 years, mostly hitting the treadmill as well as other types of workouts... that is how i knew i would not get my flat tummy mainly by exercise... and i researched it too...

i guess it depends on what our goals are... i was already healthy with good bp and cholesterol when i weighed 125, so i guess you can say my goal was mostly about "looks." when i eat Mediterranean, i fill full taking in fewer calories... and the food is really good... tasty, healthy... even my skin is better... and i just love that i can wear anything and it looks good on me... call me vain! :)

8 posted on 02/07/2013 2:15:00 AM PST by latina4dubya ( self-proclaimed tequila snob)
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To: latina4dubya

You’re vain! :)

I’ve found Paleo diet works well for me.


9 posted on 02/07/2013 2:18:59 AM PST by EEGator
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To: fatnotlazy
Not sure that this is a truly Mediterranean diet. My mother was from Italy in the region south of Rome. Her people ate carbs (pasta, bread, etc.), but in reasonable quantities.

i agree... the one i kind of go by suggests things like bread dipped in olive oil and roasted garlic... i eat whole grain pasta and brown rice... couscous... polenta... etc...

10 posted on 02/07/2013 2:21:55 AM PST by latina4dubya ( self-proclaimed tequila snob)
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To: EEGator
You’re vain! :)

ha!

11 posted on 02/07/2013 2:23:57 AM PST by latina4dubya ( self-proclaimed tequila snob)
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To: latina4dubya

I tried a low-carb diet once ( South Beach) and was extremely constipated, even with the healthy, high-fiber foods included. When I relented and ate some carbs - a muffin - I immediately got relief.

Anyone know why?


12 posted on 02/07/2013 2:27:10 AM PST by fwdude ( You cannot compromise with that which you must defeat.)
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To: latina4dubya

I tried a low-carb diet once ( South Beach) and was extremely constipated, even with the healthy, high-fiber foods included. When I relented and ate some carbs - a muffin - I immediately got relief.

Anyone know why?


13 posted on 02/07/2013 2:27:09 AM PST by fwdude ( You cannot compromise with that which you must defeat.)
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To: latina4dubya

I tried a low-carb diet once ( South Beach) and was extremely constipated, even with the healthy, high-fiber foods included. When I relented and ate some carbs - a muffin - I immediately got relief.

Anyone know why?


14 posted on 02/07/2013 2:27:19 AM PST by fwdude ( You cannot compromise with that which you must defeat.)
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To: neverdem

... and exercise.


15 posted on 02/07/2013 2:38:40 AM PST by Gene Eric (The Palin Doctrine.)
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To: fwdude

I know that if you have a high fiber diet, you should be drinking lots of water. As to the muffin “moving things along” I’m not sure. Personally I believe moderation and variety are the way to go. It helps achieve a balanced diet, and you don’t get tired of the same foods and quit.

P.S. I like the triple poop post...


16 posted on 02/07/2013 2:39:37 AM PST by EEGator
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To: fwdude
I tried a low-carb diet once ( South Beach) and was extremely constipated, even with the healthy, high-fiber foods included. When I relented and ate some carbs - a muffin -

i've never tried a "low-carb" diet... i really have never dieted... i do what i think i can maintain... i love pasta, not too big on bread nor flour tortillas--they're good but i don't have to have them... i like rice--all kinds... but i prefer brown... it keeps me regular and my stomach "flat."

my regular indulgences are fried tortilla chips (which i fry myself) with salsa and my own homemade guacamole (spicy and very good)--the salsa and guacamole are not indulgences... they are quite "Mediteranean." and i love a good cheeseburger... and my own chicken tacos--and it's only the fried tortilla shell that doesn't fit the Mediterranean lifestyle...

17 posted on 02/07/2013 2:44:39 AM PST by latina4dubya ( self-proclaimed tequila snob)
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To: fwdude
I tried a low-carb diet once ( South Beach) and was extremely constipated, even with the healthy, high-fiber foods included. When I relented and ate some carbs - a muffin -

i've never tried a "low-carb" diet... i really have never dieted... i do what i think i can maintain... i love pasta, not too big on bread nor flour tortillas--they're good but i don't have to have them... i like rice--all kinds... but i prefer brown... it keeps me regular and my stomach "flat."

my regular indulgences are fried tortilla chips (which i fry myself) with salsa and my own homemade guacamole (spicy and very good)--the salsa and guacamole are not indulgences... they are quite "Mediteranean." and i love a good cheeseburger... and my own chicken tacos--and it's only the fried tortilla shell that doesn't fit the Mediterranean lifestyle...

18 posted on 02/07/2013 2:45:20 AM PST by latina4dubya ( self-proclaimed tequila snob)
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To: neverdem

This the Mediterranean pyramid with all the carbs at the bottom?

Cure the disease!


19 posted on 02/07/2013 3:33:05 AM PST by petro45acp (No good endeavour survives an excess of adult supervision)
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To: fwdude

I was surprised to learn how nutrients affect regularity. Maybe whatever you substituted for the carbs contributed to the constipation. Fiber will make you move. I also noticed that high ratios of meat can cause some constipation. Some report that magnesium will make things happen.

It might make sense to get some blood work done with an analysis by someone who pays attention to the alphabet levels, etc. It seems the older bodies benefit from nutritional calibration.


20 posted on 02/07/2013 3:47:13 AM PST by Gene Eric (The Palin Doctrine.)
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