According to Michael Gregor, author of “The Shape We’re In,” People who are obese are at greater risk for developing Type II diabetes. It is especially true when one’s body fat cells become so large that they can no longer produce enough insulin in response to the glucose in the bloodstream. So, if obesity leads to Diabetes Type II, would eating yogurt prevent the onset of the disease?
What is Diabetes Type II?
The American Diabetes Association defines diabetes in general as a condition where glucose builds up in the blood because it can’t be used by cells. There are two types of the disease: type I and type II diabetes. Type I occurs when insulin can no longer be made by the body, while Type II is when not enough insulin is produced, or the body cells don’t react properly to insulin.
Type II Diabetes usually starts when both the pancreas and fat cells stop producing significant amounts of insulin because they are either damaged, less responsive to insulin, or reduced in number. Even though Type II diabetes resembles type I in its symptoms, the two diseases have completely different causes.
Related Posts:
- What is the healthiest dairy?
- Is Yogurt good for high blood pressure?
- Is it ok to have yogurt if one is allergic to cow’s milk?
- Is Greek Yogurt bad for cholestrol?
- Is yogurt good for diarrhea?
- Does yogurt give me heartburn?
Diabetes Type I Vs Diabetes Type II
In Type I, the immune system destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, so insulin cannot be produced anymore. In Type II diabetes, either there is insufficient insulin or cells do not react to it normally. A combination of glucocorticoid drugs, obesity, inactivity, and aging cause cells to lose their reactivity to insulin.
Type II diabetes is a lifelong disease that affects almost 26 million Americans, or about 9 percent of the population, according to a nationwide survey in 2007-2008. The number has more than doubled over the last 20 years and will continue to grow unless people start exercising more, eating healthier, and losing weight.
According to diabetes.ogr, Type 1 diabetes is a genetic related that often shows up early in life, while Type 2 diabetes is immune-related that is due to your lifestyle.
How Yogurt helps in preventing diabetes?
According to the findings of a new study, type 2 diabetes patients who eat yogurt regularly can help reduce blood glucose levels. A study at the University of Helsinki and the Finnish Diabetes Association tested whether daily intake of probiotic-containing fermented milk efficiently lowers blood sugar levels.
Researchers analyzed data from a 10-week clinical trial on 71 people with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes who were scheduled for glucose-lowering drug treatment to conduct their study. The participants were given either one liter of probiotic-containing fermented milk or a placebo drink to consume daily. The results showed that the blood glucose levels were lower among those who drank the probiotic-containing fermented milk than those who drank the placebo.
Does yogurt increase blood sugar levels?
As opposed to what you might think, consuming probiotics does not drive blood sugar levels any higher. According to a recent study published in the Journal of American College of Nutrition, some yogurts and fermented milk products which contain live active cultures (probiotics) may help control diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing glucose.
How does yogurt help in diabetes?
According to a study that appeared in the April 2010 issue of the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology, eating probiotic-rich foods such as yogurt has been found to help reduce stress hormones linked to heart disease. Researchers from Harvard University recruited 75 healthy men and women between the ages of 40 and 65 and divided them into two groups.
One group was given a commercially available probiotics-containing yogurt drink, while the other was given a placebo drink. The researchers monitored their saliva cortisol levels and blood glucose levels over four months. They found that those who drank probiotic-rich yogurts had significantly decreased cortisol levels—in other words, a lower stress response. Researchers believe that this might be due to the calming effect of healthy bacteria contained in probiotics-rich yogurt.
In addition, the study participants who drank the probiotics-rich yogurt also showed a reduced blood glucose response following an oral glucose tolerance test—in other words, they experienced better glucose control.
The researchers concluded that the probiotics in yogurt might help lower stress hormone responses and improve glucose metabolism, which could benefit cardiovascular health.
What should I eat to prevent diabetes?
To prevent diabetes, try to eat regular meals and avoid excess sugar, salt, fat, and spices. You can also increase your intake of whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables; include lean meat, poultry, fish, or beans in your diet; reduce your intake of red meat; cut back on pastries, candy, and other sweets; keep sugary drinks to a minimum, and exercise daily.
Diabetes is often undiagnosed because the symptoms are mild and infrequent at first. These include frequent urination, extreme thirst, dry, itchy skin, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and blurry vision. People with diabetes can manage their condition by eating healthy food, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising. However, medical treatment and insulin are sometimes needed.
People with diabetes need to maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy foods, getting exercise, and following their treatment plan. Thus, it is evident that both probiotic-containing fermented milk products and yogurt can help lower blood sugar levels.
Conclusion
As mentioned earlier, people with Type II diabetes often experience an inability to produce insulin even though they have high glucose levels in their bloodstream. The study at the University of Helsinki and the Finnish Diabetes Association found that people who drink yogurts containing probiotics daily can help significantly lower blood sugar levels. The study also showed that yogurt could effectively reduce damage to cells caused by type 2 diabetes.
