Latest News and Reviews

High Fiber Diet For Type 2 Diabetic Might Need To Increase Calcium Intake

There should be a balance of fiber and calcium in the diet of a diabetic, as researched by Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center. They suggested that noninsulin-dependent diabetes (type 2) patients eating roughly 50 grams of fiber daily excrete less calcium through urine than those who intake about 24 grams; which mean that their body are absorbing less calcium with higher fiber intake.

Dr. Abhimanyu Garg, , professor of internal medicine and an investigator in the Center for Human Nutrition at UT Southwestern has advocated keeping the calcium balance as excess of calcium causes stones in kidney while reasonable amount keeps bone healthy.

He suggested that fibers are quite helpful in facilitating excretion of fecal matters and controlling glucose and cholesterol. On the other hand it also lessens the body’s calcium retainer which is no good for bone health. So those on high-fiber should also work on increase in calcium rate. Physicians can chalk up a helpful diet to promote both causes.

Fibers deposit in the colon as roughage and help to push food thorough our digestive system. Calcium on the other hand gets absorbed right from the food and then eliminated through perspiration or urination. American Diabetes Association (ADA) has put on paper that people should have intake of 24 grams of fibers every day. Americans though consume much less on an average: 14 grams.

It has also been analyzed in a research study that high fiber consumption lower blood sugar and insulin level in Type 2 Diabetes patient.

For the study, 13 patients suffering from Diabetes (Type 2) were put for one and a half months on first the 50 grams fiber intake and then the recommended 24 grams consumption for the next one and a half month. In last week of every semester, the patients are required to stay at UT Southwestern’s Clinical and Translational Research Center (CTRC).

Diet for the patients was prepared by CTRC members. There was a steady balance of carbohydrates, fats, proteins and mineral such as; calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, sodium and potassium to ensure proper calories from each food group. Food thriving in fibers, such as cantaloupe, grapefruit, papaya, okra, winter and zucchini squash, granola and oatmeal were included in high fiber diets.

From the study, it was clear that amount of fibers intake has direct impact on amount of calcium absorb by our body. The study concluded that additional fiber caused our body to absorb less calcium, but whether soluble fibers or insoluble fibers affected calcium absorption was unknown. Food high in both calcium and fiber are spinach, broccoli, figs, papaya, artichoke, okra, beans, mustard and turnip greens.