India has the dubious distinction of known as ‘Diabetes Capital’ of the world with an estimated 74 million people inflicted with diabetes and another 80 million pre-diabetics on the threshold of developing into full flown diabetic.
The recent study conducted by Indian Council of Medical Research & India Diabetes Study (ICMR-IINDIAB) has come out with a finding that reducing carbohydrates (polished rice, wheat, potato, sugar, maida, etc) intake can substantially reduce Diabetes. Good news is that, slight modification in diet & sticking to low carbs can reduce the burden of diabetes. Indians usually consume almost 65 -70% carbohydrates, with little protein.
The study conducted on 18,090 adults has revealed that if carbohydrates consumption brought down to 49-54 % and protein (eggs, cheese, almonds, milk, lentils, fish) intake increased to 20 % & maintaining fat around 21-26 % diabetes reversal can be attained.
Commenting on the research Dr R M Anjana, Vice-President, Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF), main author of the study said our results show that even a modest reduction in carbohydrate intake with an increase in protein, along with healthy fats, can help to both reverse diabetes as well as prevent its progression”.
The ICMR-INDIAB study which was carried out in the whole country, and included data from 29 States and 2 Union Territories, is the largest epidemiological study on diabetes done in India.
Diet for remission of diabetes:
Carbs – 49-54%
Protein – 19-20%
Fat – 21-26%
Diet to prevent progression from pre-diabetes to diabetes:
Carbs – 54-57%
Protein – 16-20%
Fat – 20-24%
