8066
PSYLLIUM HELPS TO CONTROL ADULT-ONSET DIABETES
A study from the University of Kentucky shows that psyllium extract helps to control type II diabetes.
The single most important goal in treating diabetes is to prevent blood sugar levels from rising too high after meals because high blood sugar levels after meals causes sugar in the bloodstream to stick to cells where it is converted to a poison called sorbitol that causes heart attacks, strokes, blindness, deafness, amputations and kidney damage.
An extract of the dried seeds of the plant Plantago psyllium contains large amounts of soluble fiber that helps block a rise in blood sugar after meals. It also helps lower cholesterol, but some diabetics cannot take it because it is such as a potent laxative. Most drugs that doctors prescribe for diabetics raise insulin levels that increase risk for heart attacks, strokes and obesity. Psyllium is much safer because it does not raise insulin levels. Drugs that do not raise insulin levels include Glucophage and Actos, but they are far more expensive than psyllium. More doctors should prescribe psyllium for their diabetic patients to take with meals. See report #D222.
JW Anderson, LD Allgood, J Turner, PR Oeltgen, BP Daggy. Effects of psyllium on glucose and serum lipid responses in men with type 2 diabetes and hypercholesterolemia.American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1999, Vol 70, Iss 4, pp 466-473. Address: Anderson, JW, Vet Affairs Med Ctr, Med Serv 111C, 2250 Leestown Rd, Lexington,KY 40511 USA
Checked 8/9/05