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Low Carb and Low Cholesterol Diet for Diabetics

May 15, 2011 | By Maura Shenker
Low Carb and Low Cholesterol Diet for Diabetics
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Almost two thirds of people with diabetes die from heart disease, according to the American Diabetes Association. Following a low-carb and low cholesterol diet can help stabilize glucose levels and lower your risk for cardiovascular disease. Maintaining a healthy body weight and exercising regularly are also key components for managing diabetes and the serious health risks associated with diabetes.

Diabetes and Blood Flow

Chronic high blood sugar levels can weaken and damage smaller blood vessels, causing them to rupture. Once these capillaries are destroyed, they can't carry oxygen and nutrients to organs and tissues. Your nerves, eyes, kidney and heart are often affected first because they are fed by these small capillaries. That's why diabetes is most often associated with neuropathy -- diabetic nerve damage -- especially in the extremities, such as your feet, as well as blindness and kidney failure. Controlling your glucose levels to avoid high blood sugar can help prevent these health issues.

Carbohydrates and Diabetes

Your diet is the most important tool you have to treat your diabetes. When you consume carbs, they have an immediate impact on your blood sugar. Sugar and starch can cause a dramatic rise in glucose, and whole fiber can help slow the conversion of food into glucose. Limiting carbohydrates will help limit high blood sugar levels. Avoid a "no-carb" approach -- you need the fiber, vitamins and minerals found in healthy foods such as vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grains. But avoid eating foods with added sugars, refined flours and starchy vegetables such as potatoes or corn.

Cholesterol and Diabetes

Cholesterol is a type of fat, which your body needs to produce hormones and build new cells. But too much cholesterol, specifically too much "bad" LDL cholesterol, can clog your arteries and restrict blood flow. LDL cholesterol can cling to the walls of your blood vessels, narrowing and hardening arteries -- a condition called atherosclerosis that affects medium-sized and larger blood vessels. Basically, uncontrolled blood sugar can destroy smaller blood vessels and too much cholesterol can block larger blood vessels. When vital organs such as your heart or brain don't receive blood, it leads to a heart attack or stroke.

A Low-Carb, Low-Cholesterol Diet

Following a low-carb diet can control glucose levels and aid in weight loss. Use the glycemic index as a tool to help you choose the right carbohydrates that provide essential nutrients but limit sugar and starch. The American Heart Association recommends you lower cholesterol levels by choosing low-fat and nonfat dairy instead of whole milk products, using liquid fats such as olive oil rather than solid fats such as lard or butter, eating less meat and more plant protein and seafood, eating egg whites instead of whole eggs, and limiting your sodium intake to less than 1,500 mg daily .

References

Article reviewed by JudithT Last updated on: May 15, 2011

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