The connection between high carbohydrate diets, high blood sugar levels and heart disease

This post includes a synopsis of a study published in Diabetes Care November 16, 2009 and a recipe for peppered beef.

Study title and authors:
Inflammation markers and metabolic characteristics of subjects with one-hour plasma glucose levels
Gianluca Bardini, MD, PhD, Ilaria Dicembrini, MD, Barbara Cresci, MD and Carlo Maria Rotella, MD (c.rotella@dfc.unifi.it)
Section of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical Pathophysiology, University of Florence, Italy

This study can be accessed at: http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/early/2009/11/12/dc09-1342.abstract

Inflammation, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome have been shown to be risk factors for heart disease. See here and here.

Books:

The study examined the relationship between 1-hour blood glucose levels and inflammation, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. 1,062 subjects were enrolled and had a oral glucose load test. The study then compared those who had 1-hour blood glucose levels above 155 mg/dl with those whose 1-hour blood glucose levels were below 155 mg/dl.

The study found:
(a) Subjects with 1-hour blood glucose levels above 155 mg/dl showed a significant increase in inflammation compared to subjects with 1-hour blood glucose levels below 155 mg/dl.
(b) Subjects with 1-hour blood glucose levels above 155 mg/dl showed a significant increase in insulin resistance compared to subjects with 1-hour blood glucose levels below 155 mg/dl.
(c) 100% of the subjects with 1-hour blood glucose levels above 155 mg/dl had metabolic syndrome, whereas only 31% of the subjects with 1-hour blood glucose levels below 155 mg/dl.

Bardini notes how the study shows that high blood sugar levels (over 155 mg/dl) could be considered a new “marker” for heart disease risk.

High blood sugar is caused by eating foods with a high glycemic load such as cornflakes, coco pops, special K, grape nuts, bagels, dried dates, rice, buckwheat, macaroni, spaghetti and potatoes.

Foods with a low glycemic index maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Foods such as meat, poultry, fish, cheese, or eggs have a glycemic index of zero.

To conclude: Diets high in carbohydrates lead to high blood sugar levels which are a marker for heart disease risk.

More information on this subject: Books : Scientific Studies : Other Websites : Videos : Food Mall 

Recipe of the day

Peppered Beef

 

Ingredients:

Food Mall: Sirloin Roast Beef

1.3kg/3lb sirloin, or topside joint

1 large garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped

15ml/1tbsp mixed peppercorns, crushed

Salt

50ml/2floz good quality balsamic vinegar

Method:

1.Place the garlic, peppercorns, salt and vinegar in a large non-metallic shallow dish and mix well.

2.Add the beef to the marinade mixture and coat well. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

3.Preheat the oven to Gas mark 4-5, 180-190°C, 350-375°F.

4.Remove the joint from the marinade and transfer to a metal rack in a large non-stick roasting tin and open roast for the preferred, calculated cooking time, basting occasionally with any meat juices. Cover with foil if browning too quickly.

5.Remove the joint from the tin and transfer to a warm platter. Cover and set aside to rest for 15-20 minutes.

6.Carve the joint and serve.

Peppered Beef



Slightly elevated blood glucose a risk factor for type 2 diabetes

This study was published in Internal Medicine 2010;49(13):1271-6

Study title and authors:

Diabetes progression from "high-normal" glucose in school teachers.

Moriuchi T, Oka R, Yagi K, Miyamoto S, Nomura H, Yamagishi M, Mabuchi H, Kobayashi J, Koizumi J.

Metabolic and Vascular Science, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20606358

High-normal glucose, is the intermediate category between normal fasting glucose and impaired fasting glucose. The aim of the study was to investigate the risk for future incidence of type 2 diabetes of the subjects with high-normal glucose. In the study 4,165 non-diabetic people were followed for 5 years. 

They were classified with either:

(i) Normal fasting glucose (less than 100 mg/dL or 5.5 mmol/l)

(ii) High-normal fasting glucose (100-109 mg/dL or 5.6-6.0 mmol/l)

(iii) Impaired fasting glucose (110-125 mg/dL or 6.1-7.0 mmol/l)

After 5 years:

(a) 0.5% of those who had normal fasting glucose developed type 2 diabetes.

(b) 6.5% of those who had high-normal glucose developed type 2 diabetes.

(c) 28.2% of those who had impaired fasting glucose developed type 2 diabetes.

The study found the future incidence of type 2 diabetes in people with high-normal glucose was significantly higher than in those with normal fasting glucose.

Diets high in sugar and carbohydrates  lead to high blood glucose. See here.

AMAZON UK Sugar Shock!: How Sweets and Simple Carbs Can Derail Your Life-- And How You Can Get Back on Track

AMAZON USA Sugar Shock!: How Sweets and Simple Carbs Can Derail Your Life-- and How YouCan Get Back on Track

High-carbohydrate diets cause a significant rise in blood sugar

This study was published in Diabetes Care 1992 Nov;15(11):1572-80

Study title ans authors:

Effect of high carbohydrate intake on hyperglycemia, islet function, and plasma lipoproteins in NIDDM.

Garg A, Grundy SM, Koffler M.

Veterans Administration Medical Center, Center for Human Nutrition, Dallas, Texas.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1468287

The objective of the trial was to study the effects of a high carbohydrate intake and high fat diet on blood sugar, triglycerides and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol levels in patients with diabetes. the study included 10 men who were fed one of the diets for 28 days.

The diets were:

(i) 65% carbohydrate, 20% fat (high carbohydrate diet).

(ii) 38% carbohydrate, 45% fat (high fat diet).

The study found:

(a) The high carbohydrate diet caused significant rise in blood sugar levels, whereas no change was observed with the high fat diet.

(b) Compared with the high fat diet, the high carbohydrate diet also raised triglyceride and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol concentrations.

This study shows that high carbohydrate diets may cause rises in blood sugar, triglyceride and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol levels and therefore may not be desirable for diabetes patients.

AMAZON UK Dr Bernstein's Diabetes Solution: Complete Guide to Achieving Normal Blood Sugars

AMAZON USA Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution: The Complete Guide to Achieving Normal Blood Sugars

High blood sugar levels are associated with significantly higher infection and mortality rates in trauma patients.

This post contains a summary of a paper published in The Journal of Trauma: Injury, Infection, and Critical Care: May 2004 - Volume 56 - Issue 5 - pp 1058-1062 and a recipe for flounder fillet with dill vegetables.

Study title and authors: 
Relationship of Early Hyperglycemia to Mortality in Trauma Patients

Books:

Laird, Amanda M. MD; Miller, Preston R. MD; Kilgo, Patrick D. MS; Meredith, J. Wayne MD; Chang, Michael C. MD

The paper can be accessed at: http://www.jtrauma.com/pt/re/jtrauma/abstract.00005373-200405000-00019.htm;jsessionid=HXhN0hnJG1Dx92xZmFXv9Zlc1q9npHf74JnJvPmSzqf9PBLTn8bC!65375592!181195628!8091!-1

The paper identified that high blood sugar levels are associated with significantly higher infection and mortality rates in trauma patients.

High blood sugar levels are the result of a high carbohydrate diet. See here

More information on this subject: Books : Scientific Studies : Other Websites : Videos : Food Mall 

Recipe of the day

Flounder Fillet with Dill Vegetables

Ingredients:

Food Mall: Flounder Fillets

2 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp. dill weed

2 garlic cloves, minced
1 carrot, cut in thin strips
1 fresh tomato, diced
1 pound fresh flounder fillet

Instructions:
Heat oil in skillet over low heat. Add dill and garlic. Stir to prevent browning. Add carrots and sauté for 7 minutes. Add tomato and continue to sauté for 5 minutes. Place flounder fillet in the center of a square of foil. Pour carrot-tomato mixture over the fish. Fold foil so that fish is completely enclosed. Place in baking dish and bake for 7-10 minutes in a 325F oven. Serve immediately.

Flounder Fillet

A high fat/low carbohydrate diet reduces high blood sugar levels

This post includes a synopsis of a study published in Diabetes September 2004 vol. 53 no. 9 2375-2382 and a recipe for coconut curry stir-fry.

Study title and authors:
Effect of a High-Protein, Low-Carbohydrate Diet on Blood Glucose Control in People With Type 2 Diabetes
Mary C. Gannon123 and Frank Q. Nuttall13
1Metabolic Research Laboratory and the Section of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nutrition, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
2Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
3Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota

This study can be accessed at: http://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/content/53/9/2375.abstract
 

For 5 weeks two diets with varying carbohydrate levels were tested for their effects on blood glucose levels.

Books:

Diet 1 consisted of 55% carbohydrate, 15% protein, 30% fat (high carbohydrate diet)

Diet 2 consisted of 20% carbohydrate, 30% protein, 50% fat (high fat diet)

After 5 weeks:
The high carbohydrate diet produced blood glucose levels of 198 mg/dL (11 mmol/l)
The high fat diet produced blood glucose levels of 126 mg/dL (7mmol/l)
The HbA1-C value remained unchanged on the high carbohydrate diet.
The HbA1-C value reduced by 22% on the high fat diet.

The low carbohydrate diet dramatically reduced the circulating glucose concentration in people with untreated type 2 diabetes.

The author noted that the low carbohydrate diet could be a patient-empowering way to lower blood glucose without resorting to pharmacological drugs.

More information on this subject: Books : Scientific Studies : Other Websites : Videos : Food Mall 

Recipe of the day

Coconut curry stir-fry

Ingredients:

Food Mall: Chicken

•Cooking fat;

•1 lb tender chicken cut in thin slices;
•2 cups broccoli;
•1 can coconut milk;
•1 1/2 tsp curry powder;
•1 tsp grated ginger;
•A good bunch of fresh spinach;

Technique:
Prepare the sauce by mixing together the coconut milk, curry powder and grated ginger. Set aside. Stir-fry the chicken in a hot wok. Remove the chicken from the wok, set aside, reheat the wok and stir-fry the onion with more cooking fat for about 2 minutes. Add the broccoli and stir-fry another 3 minutes. Return the chicken to the wok, add the coconut curry sauce and the spinach and cook until the spinach is just wilted and the whole preparation is hot. Optionally garnish with some coconut flakes.