The g.i. factor: diabetes complications


        THE G.I. FACTOR: DIABETES COMPLICATIONS
If blood sugar levels are not properly controlled, diabetes can cause damage to the blood vessels in the heart, legs, brain, eyes and kidneys. For this reason, heart attacks, leg amputations, strokes, blindness and kidney failure are more common in people with diabetes. It can also damage the nerves in the feet causing pain and irritation in the feet and numbness and loss of sensation.
Many researchers believe that high levels of insulin also contribute to the damage of the blood vessels of the heart, legs and brain. High insulin levels are thought to be one of the factors which might stimulate the muscle in the wall of the blood vessel to thicken. Thickening of the muscle wall causes the blood vessels to narrow and can slow the now of blood to the point that a clot can form and stop the blood flow altogether. This is what happens to cause a heart attack or stroke.
We know that foods with a high G.L factor cause the body to produce larger amounts of insulin, resulting in higher levels of insulin in the blood. Therefore, for people with type 2 diabetes, it makes sense that eating foods with a low G.I. factor will have the effect of helping to control blood sugar levels, and will do this with lower levels of insulin. This may have the added benefit of reducing the large vessel damage which accounts for so many of the problems of diabetes.

*127\42\4*
«On Line Pharmacy»