Diet for prediabetes
Image Source: Verywell Health
Sodiq Ojuroungbe
Endocrinologists have advised people with blood sugar levels that are high but not up to the level that it can be diagnosed as Type 2 diabetes to avoid consuming junk food.
The experts said such individuals have a medical condition known as pre-diabetes.
While noting that progression from prediabetes to Type 2 diabetes is not inevitable, the endocrinologists stressed that it could be reversed through proper diets and exercises.
According to the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, prediabetes is a serious health condition that puts people at increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
The CDC noted that prediabetes mostly goes undetected until it progresses into Type 2 diabetes, which is considered a very serious health condition.
The experts variously told PUNCH Healthwise that people with prediabetes should avoid sweetened beverages, alcohol, and over-processed food.
They explained that heavily processed foods often contain added sugar, a fast-acting carbohydrate that can quickly spike insulin levels.
speaking on this, a Consultant Physician and Endocrinologist at the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, Benue State, Dr. Zakari Adebola said having a proper diet alongside regular exercises can help reverse prediabetes condition.
He urged people with prediabetes to avoid foods rich in carbohydrates, fruit juices from corn syrups, and among others.
The Endocrinologist said exercise can help increase glucose utilisation and improve insulin sensitivity, which could lead to a decrease in blood glucose and help reverse prediabetes mellitus.
“Diet on the other hand does more or less the same. It is a known fact that increasing the intake of calories leads to increased deposition of triglycerides in the liver, which leads to an overall increase in the production of lipids by the liver leading to insulin resistance (this incidentally is implicated in impaired fasting glucose).
“Other effects of diet on prediabetes progression have to do with what is termed ‘glucose toxicity’ that damages the beta cells of the pancreas, leading to impairment in insulin secretion and subsequent development of diabetes mellitus.
“You have to understand that nowadays, the understanding of both diabetes mellitus 1 and diabetes mellitus 2, is that both are preceded by periods of asymptomatic, then symptomatic stages.
“Diet can indeed reverse diabetes. But not just diet, exercise and sometimes even drugs like Metformin can help in that regard. These are backed up by a number of studies you may want to look at. The diets to avoid are simple carbohydrates, fruit juices from corn syrups, and the likes.
“As for exercise, studies have shown that aerobics, which can help to lose between 5 to 10 per cent of weight in those that are obese would go a long way into helping to reverse the trend.”
On his part, a Consultant Endocrinologist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Professor Olufemi Fasanmade described prediabetes as a silent condition that has no symptoms.
The Professor of Medicine at the University of Lagos noted that prediabetes over time, often progresses to diabetes, except there lifestyle modification.
“Reversal of prediabetes has been proven to be possible. It can be reversed by medications, exercise, or a strictly healthy diet.
“30 to 45 minutes of exercise daily is usually enough to reverse prediabetes. This exercise can be a brisk walk, a track sport, or aerobics.
“All exercises are good, except the person has some disabilities or other diseases, which makes it unsafe. For instance, those with visual impairment should not be asked to jog outdoors.
“The diet should contain adequate fruits, vegetables and a lot of fiber. Fast food or junk foods are to be avoided.
“Sweetened beverages, alcohol, and over-processed food should be avoided. Those who are overweight should shed between 5 to 10 per cent of their body weight in about a year,” he advised.
In a study published in the British Medical Journal that examined the link between fast food consumption and the risk of type 2 diabetes, it was found that people who regularly consume fast food have a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes than those who do not.
Specifically, the study found that people who eat fast food three or more times per week have a 54 per cent higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, than those who eat fast food less than once per week.
The study also found that the risk of diabetes increases with each additional serving of fast food consumed per week.
This study also looked at the link between specific types of fast food and the risk of diabetes. The study found that fried chicken and fried fish were associated with the highest risk of diabetes, followed by pizza and hamburgers.
In addition, the study found that the risk of diabetes was higher for people who consumed soft drinks or fruit juices with their fast food.
Another study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association discovered that people who consume the highest amounts of ultra-processed foods had a 25 per cent higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes than those who consumed the lowest amounts.
The study also discovered that every 10 per cent increase in the proportion of ultra-processed foods in the diet was associated with a 15 per cent higher risk of Type 2 diabetes.
The specific ultra-processed foods that were linked to a higher risk of diabetes included processed meats, sugary drinks and salty snacks.
Other ultra-processed foods associated with a higher risk of diabetes were white bread, breakfast cereals and frozen meals.
On the other hand, the study found that whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, were associated with a lower risk of diabetes.
Copyright PUNCH
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: health_wise@punchng.com
The post Endocrinologists advise Nigerians trying to reverse prediabetes to eat healthily, avoid junk foods appeared first on Healthwise.