Health Links... Glycemic Index

Here is an intersting article about the glycemic index. It actually talks about how, at least in rats, the results of eating a low glycemic index diet are clear:

In the study, one group of rats ate a starchy diet of high-glycemic foods while another received a starchy diet of low-glycemic food.

The study found that the rats eating high-glycemic food had 71 percent more body fat and 8 percent less lean body mass than those on the low-glycemic diet -- despite weighing the same.

The animals that ate high glycemic food also had significantly higher blood glucose and insulin levels, three times the blood levels of trigylcerides and more cell abnormalities in the pancreas, the organ that produces insulin.

The findings suggest, Ludwig said, that "glycemic index is an independent factor that can have dramatic effects on the major chronic diseases plaguing developed nations -- obesity, diabetes and heart disease." Whilethese findings come from a study on rats, the evidence warrants further investigation in humans, Ludwig said.

For those of you who read my blog a lot, I hate rat or mice studies! Although, these types of findings have been found with a low carbohydrate diet on humans already. The low GI diets still despise a lot of fat, unlike the Atkins diet. And studies are coming out that refute our hatred of fat, as long as the fat isn't coupled with carbohydrates.

Note: there are some inconsistencies within the article and with Atkins:

Mix it Up: That's an easy way to reduce the blood sugar effects of your favorite high-glycemic foods. So if you can't live without a sesame bagel, Rice Krispies and white rice, simply add foods that have a higher glycemic index to mute the rise in blood sugar. Eat those Krispies with skim milk, berries and a few nuts. Spread whipped regular cream cheese -- not nonfat, which is a high glycemic food -- on just half a bagel and add a slice of smoked salmon. Eat white rice with plenty of vegetables, a little lean meat, poultry, fish or beans.

On the one hand, drink skim milk. On the other hand, eat regular cream cheese. (Skim milk should have a higher index than regular milk because it has less fat.)

So, what is the upshot? A South Beach low glycemic index diet is better than the old low fat diet. Low fat, by itself, is a killer diet. Literally. (Atkins, although very similar to South Beach except for the higher fat intake allowances, is still beyond the pale for most of the medicial establishment.)

Comments

[Bob the Knob]

I'm going onto the South Beach diet. I can't do regular ATkins because I am sensitive to cholesterol.

But the south beach diet is a better bet for people like me.

Your blog is not bad considering that you are an admitted leftist! ;)

[Inderpreet Singh]

Learn more about diabetes mellitus