Mediterranean Diet Beats Diabetes Drugs

Scientists found that the Mediterranean Diet beats diabetic drugs as a treatment method. It seems that while food may have been a factor in your diabetes, it may just be food to help you lick your problem. Even though they suspected that the diet might be good for diabetics, it wasn't until the results of a long-term study in Naples, Italy that scientist had proof.

The study involved 215 pudgy adults with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes. The study divided the individuals into two groups. The first group had to follow a low fat diet with whole grains, vegetables and fruits. Their regimen also included low fat foods, low sugar and no high fat snacks. The second group followed the Mediterranean diet. They at all the same foods but included healthy fat such as olive oil. It focused also on lean protein sources like chicken, nuts and fish. They did have restrictions on the amount of calories from carbohydrates. It had to be limited to less than 50 percent of their daily caloric intake. The Mediterranean diet included 2 to 4 tablespoons of olive oil every day. Both groups participated in an exercise regimen.

According to the study published in the "Annals of Internal Medicine" on September 1, over half the patients no longer required medication to control their blood sugar. In fact most of them lost more weight and maintained the weight loss on the Mediterranean diet. They also showed some improvement in their good cholesterol levels, the HDL, and triglyceride levels, which also reduced their risk for heart disease.

While both groups showed improvement in all areas including weight loss, those on the Mediterranean diet consistently out improved the low fat dieters. They had better markers for the reduction of risk to heart disease, slightly higher weight loss and improved blood sugar

The group conducting the study still debate over why there was such good results. The fact that there were good results on the Mediterranean diet confirmed what they suspected all along. Some of the researchers feel that the improvement might have come from lowering the carbohydrate level in the diet. Others feel that it was the effect of the olive oil that improved the body's insulin sensitivity. Either way, they're delighted with the results.

Another article in the German Diabetes Association Journal reviewed several studies regarding the link between blood glucose levels and people that consumed diets high in monounsaturated fats like olive oil. All these studies pointed to the fact that those on a high monounsaturated fat diet had lower blood glucose levels.

Some studies show that the increase in saturated fat also increases the risk of diabetes. So it's better to replace that stick of melted butter you love on thick Italian bread with warm olive oil seasoned with garlic. The garlic is a powerful antioxidant and the olive oil helps your HDL, triglycerides and diabetes. Best of all, it tastes good too.

So if you want to control your diabetes and help your heart, switch to a, substitute the fat in your diet with olive oil. Since the Mediterranean diet beats diabetes drugs, you might find eating at Luigi's Italian Eatery for all your meals could actually improve your health.