Fiber May Cut Heart Risk for Diabetes Patients
Study by Maker of Fiber Supplement Shows Improvement in Cholesterol Levels
A study by the maker of a fiber supplement shows that when people with type 2 diabetes used the supplement for 90 days they improved their Specifically, the study showed their total cholesterol, LDL "bad" cholesterol, and triglyceride levels fell while HDL "good" cholesterol increased.
The findings were reported in Washington, D.C., at the American Heart Association's Sixth Annual Conference on Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology.
However, fiber doesn't just come in supplements. It's naturally found in plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and legumes.
The recommended fiber intake is 20-35 grams per day for healthy adults, says the American Dietetic Association (ADA). Many people don't meet that goal; average daily fiber intake is 14-15 grams, says the ADA.
Fiber Supplement Study
"The product was designed to fill that gap between the real intake and the advised intake," says researcher Peter Verdegem, PhD, in a news release. Verdegem is the chief scientific officer of Utah-based Unicity International, the maker of the fiber supplement used in the diabetes study.
Verdegem's study included 78 people with type 2 diabetes. They were 59 years old, on average.
At the start and end of the study, blood samples were taken to measure total cholesterol, triglycerides (a fat linked to heart disease and diabetes), HDL "good" cholesterol, and LDL "bad" cholesterol.
For 90 days, the diabetes patients added 10-15 grams of the fiber supplement to their normal diet. They drank the supplement, called BiosLife 2, in five-gram doses two to three times daily five to 10 minutes before eating.
The supplement contains both soluble and insoluble fiber from guar gum, gum arabic, locust bean gum, pectin, and oat fiber dispersed in calcium carbonate; B-vitamins and chromium are also included.
Other companies also make fiber supplements. Verdegem's study did not compare different versions, so the results do not indicate which, if any, might work best.
The findings show "clear beneficial effects" in all categories measured, say the researchers. The heart disease risk factors of the participants improved. Heart disease is the leading cause of diabetes-related death, according to the AHA.
Here are the before-and-after results:
- Average total cholesterol: 215 mg/dL before; 184 mg/dL after (14% decrease)
- Average triglycerides: 299 mg/dL before; 257 mg/dL after (14% decrease)
- Average LDL cholesterol: 129 mg/dL before; 92 mg/dL after (29% decrease)
- Average HDL cholesterol: 43 mg/dL before; 55 mg/dL after (22% increase)
The added supplement resulted in improved and near of the participants' blood cholesterol profile.
"With a normal pharmaceutical intervention, you see a decrease in LDL but not an increase in HDL to these levels," says Verdegem in a news release. "It is usually only a one-sided effect."
In the news release, Verdegem says the study demonstrates that dietary fiber supplements may be an alternative to cholesterol-lowering statin drugs for people with moderately high cholesterol who are unable or unwilling to take statins.
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Is This Normal?
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Your level is currently NormalHigh (hyperglycemia).Low (hypoglycemia). |
If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.
People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.
People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Your blood sugar level is slightly high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.
However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your level is currently normal. However, if you are concerned about diabetes speak with your physician. There may be other risk factors that increase your risk for diabetes.
Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.
Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.
One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your blood sugar level may be high, depending on when you last ate. If you have not eaten for at least 8 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 100. If you've eaten within the last 2 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 140. You should call your health care provider and ask if you need laboratory tests to check for diabetes. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Blood sugars consistently above 180 warrant prompt medical attention.
Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.
One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your blood sugar level is high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
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