Diabetics eat a "chromium" diet to stabilize blood sugar! Doctors say: "These two" are also good helpers!
According to statistics, the number of people with diabetes in Taiwan has exceeded 2.3 million. It is the most common metabolic disease among Taiwanese. Most of the causes of diabetes are related to insufficient insulin secretion or poor action. Westernized diet and obesity are important reasons for promoting diabetes, especially those with high blood pressure. Diets high in sugar, fat and salt will increase insulin resistance and lead to blood sugar imbalance.
It can be seen that for healthy adults, the content of daily diet is closely related to whether blood sugar is stable. Many scientific literature points out that various natural foods contain the potential to help regulate blood sugar, including easily available bitter melon, cinnamon, and the trace mineral element chromium, each of which has active ingredients that can help stabilize blood sugar. Pharmacist Lin Dongqing reminds people with blood sugar control problems to eat more healthy and beneficial natural foods.
Chromium (Cr): Increases insulin activity and helps make dietary control easier
Chromium (Cr) is one of the trace elements needed by the human body. It plays an important role in regulating insulin and helping the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. In addition, chromium is considered to be a key component in promoting insulin sensitivity. Some studies have shown that the blood chromium content of people with type 2 diabetes is significantly lower than that of healthy people. Chromium supplementation has also been found in animal studies to help improve blood sugar and reduce insulin resistance. Since the absorption capacity of chromium decreases with age, people with blood sugar control problems should pay more attention to adequate intake.
The chromium needed by the human body is “trivalent chromium” (Cr 3+). Studies believe that chromium and oligopeptides will combine to form a chromium regulator (chromodulin) that binds to insulin receptors to promote insulin secretion. According to scientific literature data, chromium can regulate blood sugar, improve metabolic syndrome, help fat metabolism, and aid weight management. A clinical study also showed that overweight women supplementing with an appropriate amount of chromium can help reduce appetite and hunger, and bring positive benefits to diet control.
Pharmacist Lin Dongqing added that natural dietary sources of chromium are abundant, including meat, egg yolks, fruits, vegetables, nuts, beer, coffee and wine, all of which contain a certain amount of chromium. However, the chromium in food may vary depending on soil and water conditions, and the human body’s absorption rate of chromium from the diet is only about 0.4% to 2.5%. The current daily trace element intake recommendations point out that adults should not exceed 200 micrograms of chromium per day, regardless of any form of chromium. If you have problems with blood sugar control, metabolic syndrome, or weight control, you should consult a physician and nutritionist to understand your chromium supplement needs.
Bitter melon: Accelerates glucose metabolism and extracts 5 major effects of bitter melon peptides
The common bitter melon on the table is a “Cucurbitaceae” plant that is abundant in Asia, South America, India and other places. Momordica charantia contains a phytochemical called “momangoside”, as well as insulin-like growth factors, saponins, alkaloids, triterpenes, sterols and proteins. Among them, “sterol saponin compounds” are considered to have hypoglycemic activity. Relevant studies have pointed out that the peel, pulp, and fruit of bitter melon all have the potential to regulate blood sugar, which can be said to be “a treasure all over the body.”
The “bitter melon peptide” obtained through extraction and separation of bitter melon is a unique active protein and hydrolyzate. It is regarded as an important active ingredient that can control blood sugar. Early clinical trials have shown that bitter melon peptide can improve blood sugar levels. Fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) - these are the most important indicators for long-term blood glucose monitoring. In different animal tests, bitter melon peptides can control blood sugar, simulate insulin, stimulate insulin secretion, delay sugar absorption, and accelerate glucose metabolism.
Although bitter melon contains bitter melon peptides, the concentration of bitter melon in natural bitter melon is far different from that of bitter melon peptides extracted through patented technology. It is difficult to achieve effective concentration through daily dietary intake. Pharmacist Lin Dongqing recommends that when selecting, you should pay attention to whether the bitter melon peptide is patented technology “low-temperature water extraction” and whether it is guaranteed by scientific evidence and has complete international clinical research data, so that you can use it with confidence. It is also recommended to supplement enough. Only the effective experimental dose will have health effects.
In addition, different peptide fragments have different effective supplementary amounts. Direct consumption of large amounts of bitter melon may cause gastrointestinal discomfort and the risk of hypoglycemia. In comparison, the risk of side effects of supplementing bitter melon peptides is small, but it is necessary to avoid taking it with chronic disease drugs to reduce the interaction between drugs and active ingredients. Or consult a medical professional before supplementing as recommended.
Cinnamon: Inhibits the breakdown of carbohydrates and has been shown to lower blood sugar in a systematic review
Cinnamon has been used medicinally in various cultures for 5,000 years. It contains cinnamaldehyde, methylhydroxychalcone polymer (MHCP) and polyphenols, which are considered to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and gastrointestinal properties. Empty, inhibit carbohydrate-degrading enzymes and increase insulin sensitivity and other health benefits.
Speaking from modern science, one small study found that cinnamon supplementation improved fasting and post-meal blood sugar in adults. Another study that divided subjects into an experimental group and a control group showed that those with type 2 diabetes who received the same diet and consumed more cinnamon were more effective in controlling blood sugar. A 2019 systematic review of 18 studies showed that cinnamon can indeed achieve a significant effect in lowering blood sugar.
The main nutrients of cinnamon are carbohydrates, protein, choline, vitamins A, K, C, B3 and minerals. Its extracts, cinnamyl alcohol and cinnamon oil, are also rich in many biologically active compounds. Potential health benefits of cinnamon include blood sugar regulation, blood lipid regulation, anti-infection, anti-inflammation, treatment of pain and improvement of gastrointestinal problems. Some studies have found that taking 1-6 grams of cinnamon per day can help diabetics lower blood sugar, cholesterol , and glyceride indexes.
However, pharmacist Lin Dongqing reminds that cinnamon contains “coumarin”. Ingesting large amounts may cause interactions and risks of liver toxicity, and is not suitable for pregnant women. When choosing cinnamon supplements, it is recommended to use patented extraction technology and efficient clinical performance. Strict Monitor coumarin to be less than 0.7%, and the recommended supplementation amount must reach the research supplementation amount. People with physical illnesses or pregnant women should pay attention to their own conditions or consult a nutritionist before supplementing with cinnamon.
General outline of daily diet for diabetes: Eat more natural foods to avoid the “4 major landmines”
Today, diabetes has become the most common metabolic disease among modern people. According to the recommendations of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases in the United States, people with diabetes should adopt a “balanced diet,” which means eating more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and high-quality protein such as beans, lean meats, fish, and nuts. Adequate intake of dairy products is recommended. At the same time, you should avoid fried foods, high-salt foods, foods and beverages with added refined sugar, as these foods can easily cause blood sugar instability.
The total amount of “sugar” in the diet will affect the level of blood sugar. People with diabetes are advised to adopt a “fixed food” diet pattern, which can help stabilize blood sugar. They should also learn the “carbohydrate calculation” substitution formula to avoid excessive sugar intake. If you have a problem with the body’s basal metabolism or reduced glucose metabolism, you should pay attention to maintaining a reasonable weight and exercise appropriately to control your blood sugar properly and avoid risks such as hyperglycemia and major and minor vascular complications. If you have any concerns about nutritional intake, you should first consult a professional A nutritionist will then make dietary adjustments.
Further reading:
There are more people with diabetes than newborns every year! Doctors with high risk of diabetes and kidney disease: pay attention to 2 major signs of kidney disease
