Functional foods and prevention of diabetes - book chapter summary
By David Liu, PHD
Tuesday Feb 28, 2012 (foodconsumer.org) -- J. Lindström, and S.M. Virtanen, report in a book titled Functional Foods, concept to product 2011 that there are something that people can do to reduce risk of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Type 1 diabetes is also known as juvenile diabetes or insulin dependent diabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus is known also as adult-onset diabetes or non-insulin dependent diabetes. The most common form of diabetes is type 2, and an estimated 26 million men and women in the United States live with the disease.
Both diseases have something to do with genetics. But modifiable environmental factors or lifestyle parameters are also important in determining the risk for developing type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus, the authors say.
The authors say eta-cell destruction may be important risk factors in the developing of type 1 diabetes mellitus and using cow's mil, cereals, potatoes and roots, and fruits at a very early age mat increase the risk of type 1 diabetes. Risky factors also include nitrates, nitrites, and n-nitroso compounds in food and drinking water.
Vitamin D, E and n-3 fatty acids on the other hand may protect against the development of type 1 diabetes.
For type 2 diabetes meillitus and other disorders of glycaemia, obesity and physical inactivity are most important behavioral risk factors even though other factors can also play a role in its etiology.
Early studies suggest, according to the authors, that eating refined grains red and processed meat, which often time contain nitrates, nitrites or nitrosoamines, sugar-sweetened beverages, heavy alcohol consumption or decreased consumption of fruit, vegetables, legumes, and nuts may boost the risk.
Trial studies show that intentional weight loss, healthy diet, and moderated intake of fat and increased intake of wholegrain, fruit and vegetables can efficiently prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Diabetes, type 1 or type 2, can lead to severe health complications. There is no cure for either disease, but the disease can be effectively controlled.
Recently studies suggest that diabetes has something to do with vitamin D deficiency. Eating too much fat can also be a risk for diabetes. Botth trans fat and saturated fat are known to damage beta-cells. In addition to other preventive measures, taking vitamin D supplements may be one thing that people at high risk can do to reduce their risk for diabetes type 1 and diabetes type 2.