Guest Author - Carolyn Chambers Clark, ARNP, EdD

You've probably heard about the obesity epidemic by now. (Sixty-five percent of adults ages 20 to 74 were overweight or obese in 1999-2000.)

The real concern is everything that comes along with obesity - the higher risk of chronic diseases, and, of course, type 2 diabetes, which can lead to a wide variety of troublesome health problems from foot and eye conditions to kidney and heart disease and even amputation. Diabetes is the fifth-leading cause of death among women and sixth among men.

A new study provides evidence that what you eat can protect you from type 2 diabetes. Researchers from the National Public Health Institute in Finland devised a study to examine antioxidant intake in relation to the development of type 2 diabetes.

The dietary history of more than 4,300 non-diabetic subjects - aged 40 to 69 years - was followed for 23 years. During that time, 383 cases of diabetes were diagnosed. The Finland team examined specific data on the intake of vitamin C, vitamin E and six carotenoids (the fat soluble nutrients that give fruits and vegetables their green, yellow, orange and red pigments).

Researchers found that the highest vitamin E intake was significantly associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, compared to subjects with the lowest intake. Those with the highest intakes of a carotenoid found in oranges, papaya, bell peppers, corn and watermelon also reduced type 2 diabetes risk by more than 40 percent. No association between diabetes risk and vitamin C intake was found.

Sources of vitamin E include spinach, eggs, meat, poultry, fish, nuts and seeds, avocado, tomatoes, peaches, apples and blackberries. Eating more of the carotenoids listed above can also reduce your risk.

Other ways to lose weight include eating soy products instead of meat and saturated fats.

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Source:

"Dietary Antioxidant Intake and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes" Diabetes Care, Vol. 27, 2004.

For more information on diabetes, click on the title of the book below or ask your librarian to order it.