Diabetes Diet News You Can Use

Looking for diabetes diet news? The American Diabetes Association diet plans are designed to improve blood glucose levels, blood pressure, cholesterol numbers and help you control you weight. But, is diet alone enough?

Researchers keep looking for more and better answers to type II diabetes. Research conducted by the Women's Health Initiative and recently published concerned a reduced fat diabetes diet, lower than that previously recommended.

Usually it is suggested that dietary fat be limited to 30% of the total caloric intake. A simple way to keep to that goal is avoid buying foods that contain more than 30% fat, especially if you buy a lot of processed foods.

The current American Diabetes Association diet recommendations do not mention fat as a percentage of daily caloric intakes. But, the diabetes diet tried by the Women's Health Initiative consisted of a fat intake of 20%.

It was a long-term study, conducted over a 12 year span from 1993 to 2005. It took three years to collect, analyze and publish the results. They compared the effects of a 40% total fat intake to that of 20% and found that the lower fat intake did not reduce risks.

The women in the study ranged from 50-79 years of age. Some of them took prescription medications to help control blood sugar levels, such as Metformin. Others used insulin.

The women in the lower fat group lost more weight than the control group, by about two more pounds per year. The women with the greatest weight losses did seem to have greatly reduced risks of complications. But, the lower fat diabetes diet did not account for the difference.

This study suggests that it is total calories consumed and increased physical activity that makes the biggest difference. This supports recommendations by the American Diabetes Association diet.

The Association suggests that you use a program called "My Pyramid" developed by the USDA. On-line tools allow individuals to calculate their caloric requirements and make healthy food choices. Of course, regular physical activity is always encouraged.

Personally, I feel that a diabetes diet, alone, is not sufficient to reduce the risk of complications, increase natural insulin production and sensitivity and promote glucose metabolism. But, there are a number of herbal and other natural supplements that can help.

They may not be allowed to say so on the label, since it is against FDA rules. But, you have to remember that people were using herbs long before there were drugs. In poor and undeveloped countries, they still use these natural remedies to control blood sugar levels.

Of course, the American Diabetes Association diet does not suggest the use of nutritional or herbal supplements. Major health organizations never make that suggestion. My suggestion is this, even if you find that the supplements work really well to control your blood sugar levels, don't stop taking medications, without consulting your doctor.

Certain foods could still cause a dangerous spike in blood sugar, so regular testing is imperative. But, as an important part of your diabetes diet, supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids, as well as herbs, minerals and enzymes have proven effectiveness. Protect your health in every way possible.