Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by high blood sugar. The Mediterranean diet is a nutritious eating plan that can increase longevity, according to research by scientists at the Harvard School of Public Health and the University of Athens Medical School in Greece published in the "New England Journal of Medicine" in 2003. Epidemiologists at universities and research centers worldwide have studied the association of the Mediterranean diet with the incidence and prevalence of diabetes. Consult your doctor about diabetes and the benefits of the Mediterranean diet.
Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by a deficiency in insulin or a lack of ability to produce insulin, a hormone that transports sugar from the blood into the cells throughout the body to be metabolized for energy. Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for between 90 and 95 percent of diabetes, is characterized by insulin resistance, a condition that makes it difficult for the body to use insulin to help sugar enter the cells. Both types of diabetes lead to an increased risk of complications that include cardiovascular disease, nerve damage, kidney disease, amputation and loss of hearing and vision. A healthy diet can help you manage diabetes and reduce your risk of complications.
Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean diet is primarily made up of whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, olive oil, low-fat yogurt, and cheese and fish, according to research from the Center for Genetics, Nutrition and Health in Washington, D.C., published in the "Journal of Nutrition" in 2001. The diet also includes very little meat and moderate amounts of wine. Compared to other diets, the Mediterranean diet has a balanced intake of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids and high amounts of antioxidants and dietary fiber.
Epidemiology
Epidemiology is the study of the incidence, prevalence, distribution and determinants of health-related states and conditions. Epidemiologists research and discover the potential causes of health conditions and use this information to develop programs to control the spread of diseases and other health problems. Epidemiologists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention project that the number of Americans with type 2 diabetes will triple by 2050, in part because of the number of people who are aging. Being overweight or obese is a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes.
Mediteranean Diet and Diabetes Risk
Adhering to the Mediterranean diet can help you reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes and lower the risk of complications if you have diabetes. In a 2010 study published in "Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice," scientists at Second University of Naples in Italy evaluated clinical studies on the relationship between the Mediterranean diet and diabetes and discovered that the Mediterranean diet may help to prevent type 2 diabetes. Another finding was that the Mediterranean diet can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease in individuals with diabetes.
References
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse; Diabetes; 2008
- Harvard School of Public Health; Close Adherence to a Traditional Mediterranean Diet Promotes Longevity; 2003
- "New England Journal of Medicine"; Adherence to a Mediterranean Diet and Survival in a Greek Population; Antonia Trichopoulou et al.; June 26, 2003
- American Diabetes Association; Complications; 2010
- "Journal of Nutrition"; The Mediterranean Diets: What Is So Special About the Diet of Greece? The Scientific Evidence; A.P. Simopoulos; November 2001
- World Health Organization; Epidemiology; 2011
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