Nutrition and Specific Health Issues - Literature review Example

Nutrition and Specific Health Issues Article: Gutierrez, D. . Whey protein lowers diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk factors in obese adults. [Available at] http://www.naturalnews.com/045202_whey_protein_obesity_diabetes_prevention.html The article conveys about the researchers findings that whey protein consumption is helpful in reducing risk of diabetes and cardiovascular issues in obese adults. These findings have been published in the Journal of Proteome Research. This research initiative has been sponsored by the Nordic Centre of Excellence and the Danish Council for Strategic Research. The whey protein enhances body metabolism and helps eliminate insulin resistance thus, lowering blood sugar. Though the mechanism is not fully understood but empirical evidence does suggest that whey protein is helpful in the reduction of obesity and preventing type II diabetes. Empirical evidence also suggests that whey protein helps reduce cardiovascular risk in general. Summary Whey is a protein that is derived from milk and cheese. Protein is the basic building block of human cells and that is why it is one of the important constituents of food necessary for growth and sustenance of human body. It is also widely known that protein is necessary to build muscle mass of the body; however, the latest research suggests that whey is beneficial for those who are obese. Obesity is a major issue across the globe and the US in particular. It has been estimated that over one-third adult population and almost 17 percent children are suffering from obesity. Obesity leads to type II diabetes and cardiac issues in life. Blood fat levels in obese adults get affected by the kind of protein they consume during the meal. Other research studies done in the past have already indicated that whey protein reduces fat levels and enhances insulin production that, in turn, helps reduce blood sugar levels. In order to further verify the previous findings, the researchers, in this study, chose different proteins such as why, gluten, casein or cod and fed them to the participants. Lower levels of fatty acids and higher levels of amino acids after meals were reported in the blood of those participants who were fed with whey proteins. The study indicates about the heart benefits that whey consumption imparts in some populations. In one of the study, done by researchers from Washington State University, it has been found that those who consume whey supplement are benefitted by a six-point reduction in blood pressure. Those who never had any problem of hypertension were not affected at all. It has already been shown that decrease in blood pressure not only lowers the chances of stroke by 35-40 percent but also reduces the cardiovascular risk. Personal Position The study endorses the earlier research completed by Frid et al. in 2005 in the given background that whey proteins reduce the postprandial glycemia in healthy persons. The study aimed at evaluating effect of whey proteins on insulin secretion and blood glucose control in type II diabetics. The study involved 14 type II diabetes subjects. Their meals were supplemented with whey on one day and with lactose and ham on another day. Their blood samples were investigated after a few hours for the readings of serum insulin, blood glucose, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). The insulin responses were significant after meal at 57% when whey proteins were included in the meal. Even postprandial GIP responses were higher after the inclusion of whey in meals; however, no impact was noticed in GLP-1. The study concluded that the whey proteins stimulates insulin release reducing postprandial blood glucose levels after a meal of meatballs and potatoes in subjects suffering from type II diabetes (Frid et al, 2005). Clinical nutritionists suggest that whey proteins enhance metabolism of not only healthy people but also those who are obese. Dietary protein leads to higher metabolic activity in comparison to carbohydrates and fats. It has been established that whey is a much superior metabolism-enhancing protein compared to soy or casein. The reason is that it contains much higher proportion of leucine in comparison to other proteins-- in the range of 50-75 percent that stimulates muscle metabolism. Whey protein is easy to absorb and hence it can induce metabolic effects easily. Insulin is needed for metabolism of blood sugar and it has been found that intake of over 20 grams of whey protein enhances insulin production significantly thus regulating blood sugar perfectly. The production of GLP-1 is important for type II diabetics as they are found to be low in this signal. The lower the GLP-1 level means the higher blood sugar levels and A1C levels. GLP-1 not only helps reduce appetite but also helps in healthy functioning of the beta cells of pancreas (Jakubowicz & Froy, 2013). From the above, it can be inferred that the researchers’ claims on whey proteins are quite in line with the findings of other researchers. Article: “Educated patients control diabetes better than trained physicians”. [Available at] http://www.naturalnews.com/045163_diabetes_patient_education_trained_physicians.html The article published in naturalnews.com argues that instead of a trained physician, patients themselves can do a lot in controlling type II diabetes. The study, done by the University of Maryland, suggests that a "physicians diabetes-management approach alone is ineffective" (Devon, 2014). The article claims that personal lifestyle changes, especially eating habits, physical exercises, and weight reduction interventions are hugely important before taking any treatment from physicians. Physicians alone cannot create any significant improvement if patients failed to resort to a disciplined life style Summary According to this article, diabetes is not a disease. It is a physiological condition characterized by increased blood sugar levels during some specified time. Certain life style or behavioral changes can make significant differences in management of this condition. A person with this condition experiences fatigue, shortness of breath and low energy levels. It is a slow-metabolic condition that leads to several other complications such as obesity, enhanced blood pressure. It is possible to restore normalcy through certain lifestyle changes. The article stresses physiological signs cannot be altered simply by medicine. No physician can alter the condition by any means unless the patient is committed to making certain lifestyle changes, especially eating habits and physical exercise in his or her life. Fadia Shaya, the researcher at the University of Maryland, discovered that patient education and counseling can improve blood glucose by 49 percent in comparison to doctor-managed diabetes. He further emphasized that trained physicians are largely ineffective to bring improvement in patient condition. The study involved 823 individuals who were suffering from type II diabetes. They were divided four groups. In all, total 10 physicians were involved in managing diabetes of these patients. One of the group received counseling before they visited physician for treatment while other group was not provided any counseling and they were allowed to have treatment straight from physicians. The third group had both counseling and treatment. The last group was also not given any counseling and was treated by doctors without any experience. All patients were monitored for HbA1c levels to get indication about their blood glucose levels after treatment. At the end of two-year, the results established that those who were counseled by an experienced nurse prior to treatment had a 49 percent improvement in their blood sugar levels because patients changed their lifestyle for better. It was also seen that trained physicians were not effective in treating patients without pre-counseling sessions. The crux of the research is that people must know how to self manage their diabetes before beginning their treatment with a physician. Personal Position American Diabetes Association (ADA) categorically states that diabetes has not cure; however, it can be managed through proper food and exercise. That simply means that counseling plays a pivotal role and physicians cannot help much if the patient fails to make required lifestyle changes. American Diabetes Association (2014) recommends food with lower glycemic index (GI) such as calcium, fiber, magnesium, potassium, vitamins A, C and E. The association recommends getting nutrients from foods rather than supplements (American Diabetes Association, 2014). The research findings mentioned in the article matches with the guidelines provided by ADA for management of diabetes that include changing food habits and exercise regime. Diabetes is not a disease but lifestyle changes can make huge impact as far as improvement in the type II diabetic condition is concerned. Peyrot and Rubin (2007) argue that behavioral and psychological intervention in diabetes is crucial for improvement. Certain behavioral actions such as not taking any snack after dinner, walking half an hour at least three times a week, and losing weight are important behavioral changes that need to be made by all diabetic patients. Type II diabetes usually occurs due to sedentary lifestyle – obesity factors due to excess calorie input and lesser output of energy. Reduced metabolism increases blood sugar levels and the educated patient can resort to proper exercise regime. Thus, Peyrot & Rubin’s study endorses the findings of the article: “Educated patients control diabetes better than trained physicians”. References American Diabetes Association (2014). “Living with Diabetes”. Retrieved June 3, 2014 from http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/ Frid, A. H., Nilsson, M., Holst, J. J., and Bjorck, I. (2005). Effect of whey on blood glucose and insulin responses to composite breakfast and lunch meals in type 2 diabetic subjects1,2,3. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Gutierrez, D. (2014). Whey protein lowers diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk factors in obese adults. Retrieved June 3, 2014 from http://www.naturalnews.com/045202_whey_protein_obesity_diabetes_prevention.html Jakubowicz, D, Froy, O. (2013). Biochemical and metabolic mechanisms by which dietary whey protein may combat obesity and Type 2 diabetes. The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. 24(1):1-5 Devon, L. J. (2014). Educated patients control diabetes better than trained physicians. Retrieved June 3, 2014 from http://www.naturalnews.com/045163_diabetes_patient_education_trained_physicians.html Peyrot, M., & Rubins, R. R. (2007). Behavioral and Psychosocial Interventions in Diabetes. Retrieved June 3, 2014 from http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/30/10/2433.long Read More