Type 2 diabetes can be a 'devastating diagnosis' says expert

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Type 2 diabetes barely registers on the radar if you take steps to minimise its impact. Key to this effort is stabilising blood sugar levels, which rise to dangerous levels if not brought under control. Specific dietary decisions have been touted for their blood sugar-lowering prowess.

According to a study published in the journal Saudi Medical Journal, consuming celery can have a marked impact on blood sugar levels.

Researchers analysed the effect of celery leaf extract on blood glucose levels in elderly pre-diabetics.

Prediabetes is a serious health condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes.

The study was conducted between March and November 2014 at the Faculty of Medicine, Syiah Kuala University, Banda Aceh, Indonesia.

A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest with a control group. The subjects included 16 elderly pre-diabetics older than 60 (six males and 10 females).

The subjects were randomly divided into two groups: a control group (placebo-treated) and a treatment group (celery-treated).

The treatment consisted of celery leaf extract capsules at the dose of 250 mg, three times per day (morning, afternoon and evening), 30 minutes before a meal, for 12 days.

There was a “significant decrease” in post-prandial plasma glucose levels, the researchers observed.

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Post-prandial blood glucose levels decreased by 19.5 percent after treatment in the celery group.

A Postprandial Plasma Glucose Test is a blood test that measures blood glucose (sugar) levels following a meal containing a set amount of carbohydrate. A blood test is taken two hours after ingesting the glucose.

Celery was “effective” at reducing blood glucose levels, the researchers concluded.

General dietary tips to lower blood sugar

To keep blood sugar levels in check, you should refer to the glycaemic index (GI).

The GI is a rating system for foods containing carbohydrates. It shows how quickly each food affects your blood sugar (glucose) level when that food is eaten on its own.

Carbohydrate foods that are broken down quickly by your body and cause a rapid increase in blood glucose have a high GI rating.

High GI foods include:

• Sugar and sugary foods
• Sugary soft drinks
• White bread
• Potatoes
• White rice.

Low or medium GI foods are broken down more slowly and cause a gradual rise in blood sugar levels over time.

They include some fruit and vegetables, pulses and wholegrain foods, such as porridge oats.

Type 2 diabetes – do you have it?

Many people have type 2 diabetes without realising. This is because symptoms do not necessarily make you feel unwell.

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:

• Peeing more than usual, particularly at night
• Feeling thirsty all the time
• Feeling very tired
• Losing weight without trying to
• Itching around your penis or vagina, or repeatedly getting thrush
• Cuts or wounds taking longer to heal
• Blurred vision.

According to the NHS, you should see a GP if you have any of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes or you’re worried you may have a higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes.

“You’ll need a blood test, which you may have to go to your local health centre for if it cannot be done at your GP surgery.”

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