Control Glucose, Lower Risk of Heart Disease

My headline seems like a 'no-brainer' to those following a controlled-carb lifestyle. For those attending the American Diabetes Association's Scientific Sessions in San Diego, such a concept was "pretty astounding," according to the ADA Scientific Director, Richard Kahn.

In the clinical trial of 1,375 diabetics, early, intensive treatment to keep blood sugar levels close to normal in people with diabetes can cut their risk of cardiovascular disease by about 50% and the risk of heart attack and stroke by 57%. Both of these are much better results than those achieved by any cholesterol or blood pressure drug, researchers reported.

The study was conducted on those with Type I diabetes, but "There is no reason to think tight glucose control might not be of benefit to the type 2 population," says study co-chair David Nathan, director of clinical research at Massachusetts General Hospital, but that has not been shown in this study.

In the real world, what does this mean?

For anyone who is pre-diabetic or already diagnoised with diabetes, it means you must take control of your blood sugar levels NOW and do so diligently for the rest of your life. Work carefully with your doctor, educate yourself and eat right.

Eating right, in a way that offers a self-controlled approach, means paying attention to your diet - restrict or completely eliminate added sugars, avoid high fructose corn syrup, eliminate any sources of trans-fats, limit starches and eat a lot more non-starchy vegetables. There are a number of controlled-carbohydrate nutritional approaches available to you, including low-glycemic approaches, low-carb approaches and sugar-free or gluten-free plans. Find one that works for you, your taste preferences and your lifestyle.