Fiber
Significant levels of fiber intake should be encouraged for all patients, but especially those with insulin resistance. Such intake has been linked to improvement in many disease states. Unfortunately, insufficient fiber consumption is considered one of the major flaws of the standard American diet.
Fiber can be divided into soluble and insoluble fiber.
Soluble fiber is particularly abundant in apples, beans/legumes and psyllium, as well as a variety of other fruits and vegetables. At levels of 5-10 grams per day, soluble fiber has been shown to reduce cardiovascular disease events and death, provide an LDL reduction of 10-15%, improve insulin sensitivity and decrease blood pressure, (1). One study found that by giving 5 grams of psyllium (i.e., Metamucil) twice daily, they were able to decrease LDL by 13% and daily glucose levels by 9% in those with diabetes, (2). Post-prandial glucose was decreased by 19% during the study period of 8 weeks. Several other studies have confirmed these effects.
Insoluble fiber is also a very important dietary component and is found in such foods as whole grains, seeds, carrots, cucumbers, zucchini, and tomatoes.
1. Shamliyan TA, Jacobs DR Jr., Raatz SK, Nordstrom DL, Keenan JM. Are your patients with risk of CVD getting the viscous soluble fiber they need? J Fam Pract. Sep 2006;55(9):761-769.
2. Anderson JW, Allgood LD, Turner J, et al: Effects of psyllium on glucose and serum lipid responses in men with type 2 diabetes and hypercholesterolemia. Am J Clin Nutr 1999; 70:466-473.