Are You Pre-Diabetic? Do Nuts Prevent Diabetes? Two Interesting Studies
By Gabe Mirkin, M.D.
Should you be concerned about a high fasting blood sugar if you don't have
diabetes? A normal fasting blood sugar is defined as being below 100.
Those who have fasting blood sugars between 100 and 125 are not
necessarily diabetic, but carry five times the risk of suffering a heart
attack in one year as those with fasting blood sugars below 100.
At the 2005 American College of Cardiology meetings, Dr. Beer of France showed
that people who have elevated fasting blood sugars are at high risk for
heart attacks, even though they may not be diagnosed as being diabetic.
Having high blood sugar levels may be an even greater risk or heart
attacks than having a high cholesterol.
Many doctors now feel that 35 percent of Americans become diabetic because
they eat too much sugar-added foods and drinks, bread, spaghetti and other
refined carbohydrates and that they are overweight. Storing fat,
particularly in your belly, puts you as high risk for becoming diabetic
and for having a heart attack.
Does eating nuts will lower your risk for diabetes? In one study, risk for
type 2 diabetes in women who ate nuts at least five times per week was 30
percent lower than those who rarely or never ate nuts. Nuts contain lots
of fat, but most fats in nuts are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated
fats, which are good for insulin sensitivity and serum cholesterol. Before
the bad LDL cholesterol can damage arteries, it must first be converted to
oxidized LDL. Mono-unsaturated fats form LDL cholesterol that resists
oxidation and therefore protects arteries.
Nuts are also rich in
antioxidant vitamins, minerals, plant protein and dietary fiber. However,
nuts are concentrated sources of calories, so rather than adding nuts to
your current diet, substitute them for less healthful foods such as bread
or red meats.
Read my Good Food Book FREE, with 100 healthful recipes.
Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and
practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified
in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to
hundreds of his fitness and health reports at
http://www.DrMirkin.com
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