Some suggestions pertaining To Diabetes

Mar 20, 2012 Letters

Dear Editor
I read in KN (March 19, 2012) about white rice and juices affecting blood glucose in diabetics. It is true that refined/processed foods are more likely to be high in carbohydrate. These foods are lacking in fiber, specifically soluble fiber, and as such they are readily digestible and absorbed.
Increased absorption of glucose from these foods will elevate blood glucose and may cause health problems in diabetics. In North America and other countries, white rice is eaten alone or with side dishes low in fiber; juices may contain added sugar or lack pulps. The low fiber, added sugar and lack of pulps are the factors responsible for the glucose in the blood.
In Guyana, we eat our rice with other food items such as beans, peas and vegetables. These various foods are high in soluble fiber. Soluble fiber slows down digestion and absorption of glucose and other nutrients into the blood. This slow release means that glucose is entering the blood at a reduced rate hence a slow rise in blood glucose.
Based on this explanation, white rice being cheaper than more refined rice can be consumed in recommended amount without being detrimental to diabetics. Soluble fiber is also beneficial to individuals with high cholesterol. This fiber binds bile salts made from cholesterol and excretes them. The lack of bile salts means more cholesterol is used for making bile salts hence less cholesterol in the blood.
Juices contain natural sugar – fructose and may also have added sugar – sucrose. These juices may have no fiber to slow their absorption and the consequence is elevated blood glucose. Increased consumption of fructose e.g eating several fruits at one sitting will elevate blood glucose. Fructose is easily converted to glucose; it is insulin independent and is lipogenic. These properties allow frutose to get into adipose tissues quickly and are converted to fats thus contributing to obesity.
One can avoid the negativity of fructose by drinking juices with pulp and no added sugar or drink water instead of juices or soda.
Diabetes is avoidable if people eat nutritious foods in moderate quantities and if they exercise. In Guyana, we have an abundance of wholesome foods.
However, these foods are expensive and not readily available to low income people.
We need to make these foods less expensive and more available than junk foods to our people. Such change will definitely lower the incidence of diabetes and other ailments.
Dr. Sherlock Rawana

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