Diabetes Pill Gets FDA Okay: Plus, 10 Super Foods to Control Diabetes

The Food and Drug Administration gave the okay to a new diabetes drug, Tradjenta, manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim and Elly Lilly. The pill may help with controlling blood sugar levels. According to reports, “Tradjenta works to block the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4, or DPP-4, to increase levels of insulin-stimulating hormones in the body. By encouraging the release of insulin after a meal, patients can experience improved blood sugar control.” The pill is not without side effects.

Recently, another drug Actos, which is also used to treat diabetes, was approved to help prevent diabetes. “When diet and exercise is not enough, Actos is there to help” according to the commercial on the Actos website.  Actos was making headlines not too long ago for causing congestive heart failure.

Either way, did you know there are some super foods for the diabetic diet? Diabetes is a serious disease that affects one in 10 adults in the United States. Diabetes (type 2) is characterized by a decreased sensitivity to insulin, the hormone that gets sugar into our cells so that it can be used for energy. While there is no definite cure yet, there are some preventative measures you can take to try to stay healthy.

Here’s the FYI List of the top 10 super foods to control diabetes based on the latest scientific research.

1. Cinnamon: Studies show that cinnamon can decrease fasting blood sugar by 10 to 30 percent depending on the dose. Cinnamon may also improve cholesterol levels in diabetics according to small research studies
2. Chromium: When we eat carbohydrates, blood sugar levels increase in the blood stream. Chromium, a mineral that’s needed in the body in trace amounts, appears to be directly involved with carbohydrate metabolism by playing a role in insulin sensitivity. The majority of research has shown that dietary supplementation of chromium is beneficial in moderating glucose levels by improving the insulin response. It may also have a positive impact on cholesterol levels.
3. Vinegar: Accumulating evidence indicates that vinegar may mitigate blood sugar levels following a carbohydrate-rich meal. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which may slow gastric emptying. This is especially important for diabetics because a delay in gastric emptying means a slower, more gradual absorption of nutrients, which makes for a more gradual rise of blood sugar in the bloodstream.
4. Coffee: Another study of nearly 70,000 women without diabetes found that those who drank more than one cup of coffee at lunchtime were 34 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than non-coffee drinkers.
5. Dairy: A recent study examined the intake of trans-palmitoleic acid (TPA) and the development of type 2 diabetes. TPA is a fatty acid that is not produced naturally in the human body, but can be obtained from full-fat dairy products. In the study, participants who had higher levels of TPA had more favorable measures on several health parameters including lower insulin resistance and incidence of diabetes.
6. Leafy Greens: Here’s another reason to add more veggies to your diet: new research touts the benefits of green leafy vegetables for lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes.
7. Magnesium: Research found the more magnesium you consume, the less likely you may be to develop the disease.  Magnesium is a mineral that plays a role in glucose (sugar) metabolism, a process which is compromised in people with diabetes.
8. Bran: A study shows that a diet that includes plenty of whole grains may help lower the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.  Whole grains actually have the potential to help protect the heart even among those who have already been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
9. Brown Rice: Brown rice contains fiber and a vitamin-rich outer skin — called the bran– that is stripped away when processing white rice.  Substituting brown rice for white rice may lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
10. Berries: Berries are rich in many flavonoids, particularly anthocyanins, which are responsible for their blue/purple/red color.  Anthocyanins are antioxidants that have been shown to impede cancer cell growth, reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes to name a few benefits.

The best preventative measures for diabetes is seeing a doctor regularly, eating a balanced diet and getting regular, moderate exercise. Additionally, check out the Mediterranean Diet. It is rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy fats from nuts and olive oil, with moderate amounts of fish, low-fat dairy and wine; consuming minimal red meat and processed meats may also help control diabetes.