High Fiber Diet In Diabetes

Latest research into diet that helps in keeping diabetes under control have suggested that high fiber content in diet maybe very good for diabetic patients.

Diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, the hormone needed for the body to process sugar for energy. In diabetics, insulin production is not enough. Their disease usually can be controlled with diet, weight loss and once-a-day pills. It is in this context that the nature of the diet has to be considered. The diet of a diabetic patient has to perform a whole lot of other functions in addition to the normal role of feeding the person and giving sufficient energy to fuel the daily requirements.

By the very nature of the substance, fiber is not digested in the stomach; instead it passes through the small intestine into the colon. In the colon, it is broken down by bacteria and then it acts like a sponge to retain water in the bowel motion (stool). It helps to produce a soft, bulky bowel motion, which is easy to evacuate. It also eases the passage of the stool along the bowel, helping to regulate the bowels. It helps prevent constipation by softening the stool, but can also help prevent diarrhoea by absorbing some of the liquid to produce a more 'formed' motion.

One advantage of fiber is that it tends to slow down the rate of digestion of food, leading to a more gradual emptying of the food from the stomach into the small intestine. This means that there is less likelihood of large quantities of glucose (the major breakdown product of carbohydrate) being absorbed rapidly from the small intestine into the blood and therefore a lower chance of an 'insulin surge'. Insulin is the hormone that is released when glucose is absorbed from the small intestine. It is possible that by slowing stomach emptying, fiber helps avoid the situation where the body has to produce large quantities of insulin (as a result of repeated rapid release of glucose into the intestine). In turn this may help protect against diabetes in susceptible people

Diet is the cornerstone for the management of all types of diabetes. Appropriate nutrition management improves:

• glycemic control
• decreases the frequency of hypoglycemic spells
• lowers blood pressure
• improves the serum lipid profile
• Consequently, the optimal diabetes diet decreases risk for retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

In a recent study, 13 people with type 2 diabetes was fed a containing 24 grams of fiber a day for six weeks, and then switched to a diet that provided 50 grams of fiber a day for another six weeks. At the end of the study period (12 weeks), it was found that study subjects had a better control of blood glucose levels. They also had a greater reduction in their cholesterol levels, while on the higher fiber diet. To improve palatability and acceptability, fiber supplements may be incorporated into everyday foods such as bread, cookies and chocolate bars.

Many in the scientific community, are not surprised with this news as they have been speculating for a long time about the benefit of fiber content in diabetic diet. Researchers have long speculated that dietary fiber may help people control their blood glucose, and soluble fibe(found in oats, legumes, and many fruits and vegetables)can help reduce cholesterol levels.

There are plenty of other benefits associated with a high-fiber diet. Fiber promotes regularity and relieves constipation. Some fibers help stabilize blood-sugar levels, which reduces the need for insulin in some people with diabetes. Fiber can also reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol. And, since high-fiber diets are usually lower in fat and calories, they may help people achieve and maintain healthy weights

Diets high in fiber and carbohydrate and low in fat lower insulin requirements, and reduce blood lipid levels.