Low Glycemic Index (GI) diets can be protective against heart disease
February is heart health month, Low GI diets may be protective against heart disease. The old adage of ‘you are what you eat’ seems to be coming more and more accurate; diet is very important to a healthy lifestyle.
According to the American Diabetes Association and American Dietetic Association, diet is important; however it is even more important for people with diabetes. People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing a number of different diseases, especially Heart disease; it can strike at any time.
Basically, all foods have a Glycemic Index, some foods are higher then others. Foods that high on the GI, allow the glucose in the food to absorb into your blood quickly; this can cause an elevated blood sugar level that can be dangerous.
Foods that are high in fat have the same effect, however the fat can also build up causing heart disease, heart attacks and death. People with Diabetes are twice as likely to develop Heart Disease then non – Diabetics.
American Diabetes Association states that two out of three people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke, also called cardiovascular disease. Clogged blood vessels can lead to heart attack, stroke, and other problems. But there are treatments for heart disease, stroke, and blood vessel disease.
Diabetes can be dangerous on women. The burden of diabetes on women is unique because the disease can affect both mothers and their unborn children. Diabetes can cause difficulties during pregnancy such as a miscarriage or a baby born with birth defects. Women with diabetes are also more likely to have a heart attack, and at a younger age, than women without diabetes.
You may be consuming low GI foods and not even realize it; there are hundreds of choices. According to the American Diabetes Association, most fruits, non – starchy vegetables are low-glycemic, or have a glycemic index rating of 55 or below. Those with exceptional nutrient content include apricots, apples, berries, citrus fruits, pears, red plums, kiwi, cantaloupe, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, spinach, mustard greens, artichokes, red and green bell peppers and asparagus.
Whole grains are low-glycemic carbohydrates and provide significant amounts of vitamins, minerals and fiber. They enhance satiation between meals, which can help you manage your appetite and weight.
It is estimated that twenty six million Americans have diabetes and another seventy nine percent are at risk. Educate, yourself on diet and nutrition is the best way to lower your risk of getting Diabetes and all of the complications associated with it. Per the American Heart Association; based on the 2008 mortality rates for Cardio Vascular Disease (CVD) one third of all deaths in the United States are from CVD. The American Heart Association estimates that upwards of one in three adults suffers from one or more types of CVD (with the exception of congenital heart disease).
It is always best to consult with your endocrinologist and a nutritionist who is a diabetes specialist – CDE- certified diabetes educator, to find the best course of treatment and diet for you. If you have heart disease, consult with your cardiologist first for the best course of treatment for you.
Check with your doctor or health care provider before starting any weight-loss diet, especially if you have any health conditions, including diabetes and heart disease.
For information on Heart Health Month www.heart.org