Diabetes Prevention
The diabetes that most adults have (adult-onset or Type 2 diabetes) is largely preventable. With good lifestyle practices most individuals, even though they have the genes for diabetes, can avoid developing this troublesome disease.
Diabetes prevention has been a focus of my research for 40 years. These comments come from observations made by my research team and by others.
Three things are important:
- Weight management. About 80% of Type 2 diabetes can be attributed to overweight. To minimize risk for diabetes the body weight should be about what most people weighed in high school of a BMI of less that 25. BMI calculator at www.mypyramid.gov. Cutting back on fatty foods and sugar overload coupled with walking 2 miles daily are very important protective practices.
- Healthy eating. A high carbohydrate and fiber intake is protective. Persons who eat our HCF diet (see www.hcf-nutrition.org) have a 30% lower risk of developing diabetes. People who are addicted to beef, pork and other red meats have a 36% higher risk for developing diabetes. Whole grain products (three servings per day) and soy protein (two servings) per day are important protectors.
- Nutrition supplements. Certain supplements appear to have diabetes preventive properties. Providentially and paradoxically I have pre-diabetes. Without changing a healthy plant-base diet or walking 3 miles per day, taking these supplements lowered my fasting glucose value from 118 (pre-diabetes) to 99 (normal). These are what I recommend. I do not have any financial or other connection to these companies.
Ø Magnesium 400 mg/day (very convincing evidence),
Ø Alpha lipoic acid 200-300 mg/day (suggestive evidence),
Ø Chromium 400 micrograms/day (suggestive evidence),
Ø Vanadium 100 micrograms/day (suggestive evidence),
Ø Cinnamon powder 1000 mg/day (Not yet of proven value in humans but you can use to enhance many foods you serve.)
My first choice: Blood Glucose Support*: 2 capsules twice daily
1-800-304-1708 www.drsinatra.com
*I am not certain that Gymnema or Banaba extracts are of value but they probably are not harmful.
So, if diabetes runs in your family or you have a ‘touch of sugar’ you may want to do these preventive things. They have worked for me and for many of my patients.
