Dietary Fiber - For Diabetes, Heart and General Health

Most people understand the importance of dietary fiber in their diet. Much has been said about its importance in heart health, diabetes, cancer prevention, and even weight control.

What is less well understood is how different types of fiber effect the body. Some provide fecal bulk, some are absorbed more quickly into the blood stream than others, and thus raise blood sugar levels more quickly, and yet others provide benefits to the heart.

Thus, despite the apparent simplicity, fiber is a complex topic. And whilst all types of fiber are important, if you are looking at preventing or managing specific conditions, its not enough to just look at the total dietary fiber as written on food packaging.

Dietary fiber is broadly classified into soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber is fermented in the colon, and plays a role in slowing the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream. It also encourages the growth of the 'friendly' bacteria that help break down bile, and are involved in the creation of B vitamins like folic acid, niacin, and pyridoxine.

Insoluble fiber, on the other hand, acts a bit like an intestinal broom. It provides bulk to the stools, and makes sure they pass through easily and quickly. This is the type of fiber that keeps you 'regular', not insoluble fiber.

Insoluble fiber does provide a feeling of fullness, however. This makes it great for weight loss and controlling hunger. It also keeps blood sugar levels more stable, although research into the rate at which carbohydrates enter the bloodstream have found there to be some significant differences within the foods that make up the fiber group. Dietary fiber can thus be rated by its Glycemic Index, which effectively ranks fiber foods with each other on a relative scale.

The idea is to try and include more low gylcemic index foods. Foods with a high glycemic index cause blood sugar levels to spike, providing too much energy to the blood in the form of carbohydrates, which in turn sets off the body's sugar controlling hormone - insulin. You thus get a 'high' followed by a sudden drop. This in turn leads the body to want more carbohydrates to balance itself again, leading to cravings and overeating, as well as tiredness and moodiness.

Low glycemic index foods include lentils, chickpeas, baked beans, fruit loaf, salmon sushi, barley, milk, low fat custard, soy milk, yoghurt (not diet yoghurt), apples, strawberries, grapes, spaghetti, peas, carrots, fructose, strawberry jam, and chocolate milk.

Moderate glycemic index foods include pea soup, rye bread, porridge, muesli, ice cream, bananas, pineapple, kiwi fruit, new potatoes, beetroot, white sugar, honey, and mars bars.

High glycemic index foods include broad beans, bagels, white bread, brown rice, watermelon, udon noodles, desiree, pontiac and sebago potatoes, and glucose.

We need both soluble and insoluble fiber, however. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that in a group of 6000 French men and women, those with the highest levels of soluble and insoluble fiber in their diet had a lower risk of being overweight, a lower risk of having blood pressure problems, cholesterol problems, and they had better levels of triacylglycerols and homocysteine. The last two are measure3 of heart health.

Fiber from cereals was linked to lower body fat, lower blood pressure, and lower levels of homocysteine. Those with a higher intake of vegetables, also a source of fiber, had lower blood pressure and lower homocysteine levels. Fiber from fresh fruit was associated with a lower waist to hip ratio (good news for dieters!), and lower blood pressure. And fiber from dried fruit, nuts, and seeds (like sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds) was also linked to a lower waist to hip ratio, lower body fat, and a better fasting glucose concentration. Fasting glucose relates to having a steady level of glucose between meals. If it dips too low, we crave things, often sweets.

Fiber has another interesting benefit. In people with type 2 diabetes, it has been found to lower the levels of 'bad' cholesterol, and increase the levels of 'good' cholesterol. It has already been established that fiber supplements will lower the levels of bad cholesterol in people, whether they have diabetes or not. But this new study found that fiber supplements also decreased the reabsorption of cholesterol from meals.

To get this benefit, it is important to time taking the fiber supplement in synch with meals. The study participants took a fiber supplement drink before mealtimes, and this ensured that the fiber was in the intestines when the meal was being eaten. The people in the study participated for 90 days and their average age was 59 years old.

References:
1. Australian Healthy Food, November 2005
2. nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?id=64759
3. nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?id=57887
4. nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?id=64462
5. nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?id=59737

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Balance Your Blood Sugar

To keep your body’s energy and weight stable it is very important to maintain blood sugar levels within a normal range. By keeping your blood sugar levels in control, it will prevent other imbalances from occurring within your body. The natural form of sugar is called Glucose, which is essential for healthy brain function. If your blood sugar levels drop below normal suddenly unconsciousness and or a coma could happen as a result. The cells within the body also require glucose but in moderate amounts which are absorbed into the bloodstream, in a form of energy the muscles can use.
If too much glucose is present in the blood stream it will be stored short-term in the liver, or stored as body fat to be used as a reserve. If not enough glucose is present in the blood stream you may feel tired and irritated, you could loose the ability to concentrate, and you will probably experience a headache and nausea. For your body to function in harmony with itself it is very important to keep your blood sugar in balance.



When glucose levels increase in the bloodstream, it is the pancreas’s jog to produce and excrete insulin, which transfers it into the cells create energy. The function of insulin is to control sugar levels and prevent it from reaching dangerous levels in the blood. When the cells become over-saturated with fat due to diet or lack of insulin production, problems with your health can become apparent. The first condition that occurs is that the cells are not getting enough energy, and the blood becomes saturated with dangerous levels of glucose. This condition causes reduced energy levels a term known as insulin resistance, which could develop into Type II diabetes.
So now that we are aware that over abundance of sugar in the blood converts into fat, it is important to understand that refined carbohydrates and simple sugar consumption can lead to diabetes. Some substances that can raise blood sugar to unstable levels are stimulants such as coffee, tea, chocolate, cola drinks, smoking, concentrated sweeteners, and alcohol. Prolonged stress causes an increase of the production of adrenaline and cortisol, which can also raise blood glucose levels. It is important to try to avoid these substances and excessive stress to minimize the onset or development of diabetes.
The disease juvenile diabetes, or Type I diabetes, is caused by lack of insulin production, which allows too much glucose to be present in the bloodstream. This type of diabetes begins in children and is sometimes due to pancreatic injury or infection, there are other factors that could indicate a genetic predisposition. To prevent diabetes in children it is essential to provide a balanced diet, free of refined sugars, excessive carbohydrates and high fat content. Because juvenile onset diabetes is caused by lack of insulin production, the individuals affected must rely on insulin injected into the muscle to regulate blood sugar levels. Another option to avoid having to take daily insulin shots is to receive a pancreatic transplant.
The condition hypoglycemia is a blood sugar imbalance that is a result of too much production of insulin. Hypoglycemia can also leave an individual at risk for diabetes because increased insulin production can exhaust the pancreas. A person affected with hypoglycemia may experience a fast pulse, poor concentration, sweatiness, irritability, restlessness, and dizziness. Another side effect from this condition is that it also wastes available minerals in the body, which can cause irregularities in blood glucose and insulin levels.
All three types of blood sugar imbalances can be controlled with a healthy diet, exercises and natural supplements. It is also important to strengthen the organs involved in metabolizing blood sugar, such as the liver, adrenal glands and pancreas. Blood Sugar Imbalance by Bell is designed to help individuals diagnosed with diabetes and persons afflicted with hypoglycemia who have a hard time controlling their weight because of their condition. It is important to consider taking natural products first before turning to more aggressive measures. By taking products with natural ingredients you can reduce your risk of experiencing unwanted side effects and symptoms.

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Free Tips to Prevent Obesity, Diabetes, Heart Disease, High Cholesterol, And High Blood Pressure

They are the biggest killers in America: Diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart disease. The most common causes of these deadly conditions are: Physical inactivity, fattening snacks and beverages, obesity, stress, and smoking. The shocking news is that these diseases are so easily preventable.
A frequent cause of blame is the unhealthy food choices people make regularly. It’s okay to splurge once in a while, but it is the habits you follow daily that will determine your overall health. Constantly consuming chips, bacon, cakes, sugary drinks, candy, sausage, and cigarettes will get you nothing but poor health, deadly diseases, and a ticket straight to heaven prematurely.



According to the CDC over 63% (that’s over 180 million) of the US population is overweight or obese and is physically inactive, resulting in tens of millions who have chronic deadly, but preventable, conditions such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and pre-diabetes. Recently the CDC reported that more than 70% (over 1.7 million) of all causes of death in America are caused by only three preventable factors: obesity, sedentary lifestyles, and smoking. The very fact that these factors are easily preventable is heartbreaking.
One of the major contributors to poor health is the excessive consumption of cholesterol. The body produces over 85% of the cholesterol we need and the sugar stores in our liver and muscles remain saturated due to physical inactivity. Because we are largely a couch-potato society and the food we consume every day is loaded with animal-based fats, the extra fat gets dumped into our arteries, belly areas, and under the skin all over our bodies.
Another major contributor to deadly diseases, poor health, and premature aging and death is physical inactivity. Most of us sit throughout an entire workday then go home and sit in front of the TV for another 5 to 6 hours while consuming large fatty meals, snacks, and sugary or alcoholic beverages that are rich in saturated fats, salt, and sugar, all of which contribute to increased belly fat. Shockingly, belly fat is the most dangerous kind because it causes inflammation in the arteries contributing to plaque build up in the arteries and insulin resistance leading to heart attacks and diabetes.
Yet another common issue is that people are unaware of how unhealthy the foods they consume are. When people don't read nutrition labels they tend to consume very dense food and sugary beverages that are nutrient deficient. These foods are readily available in fast food restaurants and vending machines and contain loads of sugar, fat, and unwanted calories. Sugary soft drinks (which alone contribute to over 33% of all US obesity), sugary lemonade, sweetened iced tea, smoothies, lattes, and frappucinos, which contain loads of sugar and fat that further contribute to the accumulation of belly fat, make you more of a magnet to all sorts of deadly, but preventable, diseases. One of the worst mistakes people make as well is skipping meals which makes the body more efficient at storing and gaining fat weight.
Fortunately there are important steps to help you make balanced food and activity choices and help you start a lifestyle makeover process which will be your shield against deadly diseases as you age gracefully:
• If you have any chronic disease(s) take your medications as prescribed.
• Eat 3 main balanced meals, reduce your portion sizes, and raise your fiber intake.
• Consume 2 fruit and nuts snacks between meals.
• Switch all sugary drinks to water or diet soft drinks. Sweeten all other hot or cold beverages with artificial sweeteners or sugar-free flavoring powders. Limit all non-water beverages to a couple a day.
• Increase your daily walking activity to over 10,000 steps a day by making more frequent trips at home, the office, while shopping, and anywhere else.
The good news is that diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic diseases can be prevented, managed, and reversed with your own choices, actions and a lifestyle makeover. Now is the time to start putting these tips to good use and begin feeling better and living healthier right away!

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Fighting Diabetes With the Right Diet

Diabetes is another health concern where diet plays a very important role. The treatment program for diabetes strictly includes the intake of foods belonging to the food pyramid. As a general rule, patients with diabetes are required to pay attention on their carbohydrate intake. They should watch their weight very closely so as not to be underweight or overweight. Diabetes is a condition wherein the body can't process glucose or blood sugar properly. That or the body can't produce the necessary amount it needs for its daily activities. It is therefore important for a person with diabetes to keep his or her blood sugar level stable.
Although diabetes has been medically determined as having no "cure" and being practically irreversible, a healthy diet for diabetes can go a long way in managing the disease and improving the diabetic's lifestyle. In fact, good nutrition and diet together with regular exercise (whether light or moderate) and weight management are crucial to preventing the serious complications of this ailment and giving the diabetic a longer lease on life. A recent study shows that a fiber-rich, low-fat plant-based diet, also called a vegan diet, combined with moderate exercises can so dramatically control blood glucose to almost normal levels.
A diabetic diet requires a well-balanced, healthy diet. The food pyramid as created by the American Diabetic Association is a good guide for diabetic patients. Here are good meal suggestions for people with diabetes:
Breakfast and Snacks Meal Suggestions
CerealBreadCooked starchy vegetables like beans and potatoNutsNon-fat milk
Starchy vegetables, cereals, and breads are good sources of starch. Regardless of what others may think, diabetic experts encourage patients to eat starchy foods in the right amounts. This is required by the body, especially for diabetic patients whose bodies can't produce the necessary amount of blood sugar that it needs for fuel.
Milk is a good source of protein. A good diabetic diet accounts for around 15-20% protein intake. However, never exceed the 20% limit as doing so may cause complications like renal diseases. Roasted nuts are good sources of protein as well.
Lunch and Dinner Meal Suggestions
Beef BroccoliChicken saladVegetable medleyFruits for desertBrown riceJuice
Vegetables are vital to any healthy diet. This food group is always a necessary, regardless if you're diabetic or not. Vegetables are sources of vitamins, minerals, and fiber that can help metabolize glucose. Aside from that, the fiber found in vegetables may also help slow down the absorption of glucose from the intestines.
Lean meat is a must for people with diabetes. This means that there should be no traces of fat included in your meals. They should be removed prior to food preparation. The skin of the chicken should be disposed of and the traces of animal fats should be taken out. Diabetic patients are prone to developing thicker blood so added cholesterol in your food is not going to help your heart.
Consumption of sweets and sugar foods should be reduced, if you can't take it out of your diet completely. There are different types of sugar. Some of them are beneficial, while others are not. To be sure, don't eat processed sweets like cakes, pastries, chocolates, and candies. Stick to naturally sweet foods like honey, fruits, and fresh juices.
About the Author
Jack L Bloom is the owner of Diet Step By Step. For more information about fighting diabetes with the right diet visit the Diet for Diabetes page.

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