Controlling diabetes

> Besides drug therapy, this disease can be treated using complementary and traditional medical practices COMMON CARBOHYDRATES

for our bodily needs.

Incomplete amino acids (components of protein) which are not utilised are usually removed by the liver after a day or two.

We rapidly gain weight (fat) from consuming excess starchy or sugary food and beverages causing elevated blood sugar, which our pancreas then releases insulin to convert excess sugar to triglycerides (stored fat).

Surprising to many, fructose (fruit sugar) generates about 50% more triglycerides than does glucose (rice, noodle, bread).

Hypertriglyceridemia then promotes fatty liver and elevates cholesterol level.

Women’s health seems to be more badly affected by hypertriglyceridemia than men’s, particularly its adverse effect on arterial disease.

The Obesity Review Journal (2007) implicated the imbalance secretion between leptin and ghrelin as a contributing factor to obesity, with many obese people suffering from leptin-resistance.

FOOD THERAPY

Using food therapy to influence one’s hormonal profile is basic to the practice of nutritional medicine (www.anmp.org.my).

Most people have forgotten about the starches consumed by our poorer forefathers. Our local ubi kayu (cassava or tapioca) contains just 50% of the carbohydrates compared to our imported rice.

It is incorrect to state that brown rice contains less sugar than white rice since both types come from the same grains.

Our local (not Japanese) sweet potato contains even less sugar than ubi kayu and the leaf of the sweet potato plant contains as much nutrients as broccoli.

Although whole wheat contains 12% protein, most of this is in the form of gluten which can trigger allergy in some individuals.

The white wheat flour used in making bread, buns, noodles, cookies, or biscuits is heavily bleached and contains far less nutrients than its bran and germ.

Views expressed are those of the author, who’s president of the Federation of Complementary & Natural Medical Associations, and not necessarily those of the professional bodies and government committees of which he’s a member. Dato’ Steve Yap can be contacted at lifestyle. steve@thesundaily.com.