A Mediterranean diet, rich in nuts, whole grains, fruits, vegetables and healthy oils, reduces the likelihood that patients recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes will need drugs to lower their blood sugar, according to a new study.
The Diet Was Tested
Among diabetics who followed the Mediterranean-style diet, only 44 percent required the blood sugar-lowering medicines known as antihyperglycemic drugs, compared to 70 percent of patients who followed the standard, low-fat diet recommended by cardiologists, according to a report in the Sept. 1 edition of the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.
Patients on the Mediterranean-style diet also lost more weight and experienced greater improvements in blood sugar control and coronary risk measures than those on the low-fat diet. According to a report this week from ABC news.
Diet or Common Sense?
So what does this mean for people who just aren’t willing to change their diet? Well I guess there is no way to tell if this particular diet will work for you and help your diabetes unless you give it a try. At the least, it should help your heart health, most of us know that eating good fats/oils is better for our hearts, then say saturated fats. Also fruits, nuts, veggies, and whole grains are great foods for all of us. If they weren’t they wouldn’t be on the food pyramid right? So over all this diet sounds pretty good and I think it would not only benefit those of you with diabetes, but the rest of us as well. Along with exercise and weight loss.
About the Author -
Lisa Macfarlane is a professional health writer and editor who specializes in sexual health and health issues.
