A Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of a Vegetarian Diet in Diabetes - Term Paper Example

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder wherein the human body does not produce or properly uses insulin, a hormone that is required to convert sugar, starches, and other food into energy. Diabetes mellitus is characterized by constant high levels of blood glucose (sugar).” (Diabetes Information….)    “Your food is your grave,” opined Bernard Shaw, highlighting the importance of food and the nutrient values contained in it. According to Dr. Joe Shelby Riley a well-known expert in nutrition, “Grapefruit is a splendid thing in the food of diabetic patients.

If grapefruits were eaten more liberally, there would be much less diabetes. If you have sugar, use three grapefruits three times a day. If you do not have sugar, but a tendency towards it and want to prevent it, use three a day. Decrease starches, sweets, and fats. Eat mostly fruits, vegetables, and juices. In two weeks, this will eliminate sugar when not taking insulin. When taking insulin, it takes longer.”(Bakru, 1993, p.46) Though the broad types of diabetes have been categorized as Type I, Type II and Gestational, the root cause of all these, are more or less the same.

Diabetes millions are the most dreaded disease in the United States with over 16 million suffering from it. Its prevalence continues to rise. The healthy body demands a well-balanced sugar level and its breakdown causes many problems. The minimum blood sugar level is 70 mg/dl, at fasting g state. If it is less, the condition is termed as hypoglycemia and if more than 110 mg /dl, it’s hyperglycemia. Diabetes, when not taken care of on a continual basis with great emphasis on nutrition and physical exercises, can result in adult blindness, gangrene, end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and amputations.

The increase in blood sugar levels leads to kidney failure, cardiovascular problems, and neuropathy. Heart diseases and strokes are additional risks for such patients. For pregnant women and the fetus, gestational diabetes is dangerous. All these conditions can be successfully stalled with a restricted and selected diet.