Great forms of diabetes treatment using soy
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Type II diabetes results when the body’s cells are unable to obtain glucose, or blood sugar. This glucose is necessary for the cells to survive. In people without diabetes, glucose is produced when complex carbohydrates are broken down by the body. For the cells to absorb this glucose, they need insulin. Insulin is produced by the pancreas. For those suffering from diabetes, the insulin is there, but the body doesn’t know how to use it. Soy has been found to be a promising source for diabetes treatment.
Soy and Glucose Absorption
The primary reason soy is believed to be helpful in diabetes treatment is because less glucose is found in the urine of people with diabetes who eat soy. This indicates that the cells of a diabetic who eats soy are absorbing more glucose.
Soy Fiber and Diabetes Treatment
The fiber found in soy is also believed to help in diabetes treatment. 30% of the fiber found in soy is soluble. Scientists believe that soluble fiber can help cells recognize the insulin that is present in the bloodstream. Therefore, foods such as cooked soybeans, edamame, and soy nuts can be helpful in diabetes treatment because all three of these contain high levels of fiber.
Soy and Diabetic Kidney Disease
A vegetarian diet that uses soy to replace meat can also be beneficial to diabetics. This is because research has shown that a vegetarian diet decreases the workload of kidneys. Researchers believe this decrease in workload can help both prevent and treat diabetic kidney disease. Soy also might also further assist in preventing kidney damage because it helps normalize the glomerular filtration rate as well as the amount of protein excreted in the urine.
Soy and Diabetes Treatment Research
One study into the effectiveness of soy in diabetes treatment was conducted in 2002. In this study, 32 women who were past menopause and who also had type II diabetes, were studied. Half of these women were given a placebo to sprinkle on their food for twelve weeks. After a two week break, they were given 30 grams of soy protein to sprinkle on their food for twelve weeks. The other half of the women were given the soy protein first, then given the placebo. None of the women knew what they were taking throughout the study.
When the women took the placebo, their weight remained consistent. On the other hand, when they used the soy, their blood sugar, insulin, and cholesterol levels improved. In fact, the soy lowered their blood sugar with the same effectiveness of prescription diabetes treatment drugs.
More research is still needed in the effects of soy and diabetes treatment. Nonetheless, most diabetes nutrition experts recommend adding soy to a diabetic diet to help normalize blood glucose levels, reduce cholesterol, provide fiber and to prevent and treat diabetic kidney disease.
