I am not saying you be rid of diabetes in 24 hours but there appears to be a way out of this insulin torture that all diabetics experience.
And it all points to one of the ubiquitous food components, CARBOHYDRATES.
As we are all aware, carbohydrates are the first components in food that are broken down to provide us with energy.
We have also been made aware that carbohydrates (too much of it) can actually increase our sugar levels to the point that some of us may be predisposed to diabetes.
So, what is the new finding about carbohydrates that may be revolutionizing diabetes treatment?
It appears that eating lower amounts of carbohydrates consistently for 3 meals in a period of a day can cause reduced secretion of GIP and increased insulin sensitivity.
Scientists at University of Michigan studied 32 healthy postmenopausal women that were of similar weight. Half of the women were given low-carbohydrate (30%) meals. Half of the 16 women performed 2-hour moderate-level exercises before the last 2 meals while the other half had a sedentary lifestyle while consuming the low-carbohydrate meals. The meals were of the same calories.
The remaining 16 women were provided with 3 high-carbohydrate (60%) meals and as in the previous group, 8 of these women performed 2-hour moderate-level exercises before the last 2 meals while the other 8 had a sedentary lifestyle. The meals were of the same calories.
The levels of insulin, the glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP), plasma glucose, were among the indicators measured in the participants following their meals and exercise.
GIP controls the secretion of insulin in people whose insulin secretion and activity is functioning as normal.
The low-carbohydrate meals lowered GIP and insulin levels after consuming 3 such meals within a day. The GIP levels were reduced by 45% in the absence of exercise while the reduction was 48% with exercise. Similarly, insulin levels reduced by 31% following exercise and there was a 39% reduction in the absence of exercise.
According to the study authors, the reason why a reduction in insulin and GIP levels occurred by the third meal was probably because the intestine had to adapt to the change in the carbohydrate content of the meals.
The adaptation of the intestine becomes effective by the third meal where the glucose sensor in the intestine recognizes the reduced carbohydrate in the meals and so a subsequent lowering of GIP levels.
It appears that 24 hours is necessary for the intestine to recognize the lower carbohydrates in the meals. By sensing the reduced carbohydrates, the levels of GIP reduces and increases insulin sensitivity.
Another interesting point that was noted was that when the calories of the meals were higher in the morning and lower in the evening, it actually helped to maintain insulin sensitivity. When the calories of the meals were reversed, there was an increase in insulin levels.
So, eating high-carbohydrate meals late in the evening may not be such a great idea. The authors suggest that the pancreas may be unable to secrete sufficient insulin to tackle these carbohydrates.
It is recommended that meals containing 54 g of carbohydrates are sufficient to reduce GIP and insulin levels. On the other hand, 120 g of carbohydrates cause an increase in GIP and insulin levels.
From now on, perhaps it will be a good idea to stock up on those carbs in the morning and eat a light dinner. Do your pancreas and body a favour and maintain those insulin levels.
