(Diabetes) Can cutting carbs help? Nutrients that affect insulin vary from person to person.

Carbohydrates are nutrients that directly raise blood sugar levels. Diabetics typically regulate their carbohydrate intake to prevent rapid blood sugar spikes. The ratio of protein and fat should also be considered, along with carbohydrates. Recent research has shown that the nutrients that trigger insulin secretion vary from person to person.

 

 

1. Each person has a different insulin response to each nutrient.

2. Plan your meals and monitor your blood sugar regularly.

Insulin secretion varies depending on the nutrient.

 

A research team from the University of British Columbia in Canada analyzed pancreatic islets from 140 cadaveric donors, including those with diabetes. Pancreatic islets are an endocrine organ densely populated with various endocrine cells, including insulin-secreting beta cells. The research team exposed the islets to carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, and measured their insulin responses.

Analysis revealed that while most pancreatic islet cells responded most strongly to carbohydrates, 9% responded more strongly to protein, and 8% to fat. While protein and fat don't raise blood sugar levels as much as carbohydrates, they contribute to insulin resistance in the long term, making insulin less effective in the body.

A study on "Glycemic Responses According to Macronutrient Composition in Foods and Foods" also found that in addition to carbohydrates, protein, fat, and dietary fiber content also influence glycemic response. This means that glycemic response can vary not only depending on meal menu and nutrient composition, but also on the insulin secretion response of each nutrient. Therefore, it's crucial to understand the glycemic response and flow based on these factors.

 

It's good to compare your blood sugar levels before and after eating.

 

Because each person's ability to digest and break down food varies, blood sugar levels and insulin secretion can vary depending on individual nutrients. To determine the differences in insulin secretion among diabetic patients based on different nutrients, blood sugar levels after food intake must be individually monitored. Professor Lee Min-kyung of the Department of Endocrinology at Myongji Hospital explains, "Regularly monitoring blood sugar levels using a continuous glucose monitor or self-monitoring can provide a certain level of insight."

Although it's a bit inconvenient, check your blood sugar levels before and after eating carbohydrates, protein, and fatty foods. Consume equal amounts of each food. Based on your blood sugar measurements, plan meals that will help stabilize your postprandial blood sugar levels. Foods that produce the greatest fluctuations in blood sugar levels are often considered the nutrients with the highest insulin response.

 

Need a customized diet

 

The above study results suggest the need for a personalized diet for each diabetic patient. Current diabetes treatment focuses on patient-centered, individualized care. According to the Korean Diabetes Association's 2023 Diabetes Treatment Guidelines for Medical Nutrition Therapy, "There is no ideal ratio of carbohydrates, protein, and fat intake that consistently provides benefits for all patients with diabetes. We recommend individualizing the diet based on a thorough assessment of the patient's medical condition, metabolic goals, and preferences."

Lim Bo-kyung, a clinical nutritionist at Bucheon St. Mary's Hospital, said, "It is advisable to provide an individualized diet for each patient, taking into account various lifestyle patterns and preferences that affect blood sugar levels, the variety of medications taken, and body type such as obesity."

 

Customized Dietary Guide for Diabetics

 

To create a personalized diet, it's best to consult with a professional clinical nutritionist or medical professional to plan a suitable, individualized meal plan. With the help of clinical nutritionist Lim Bo-kyung, we explored a personalized meal plan. First, keep a food diary for each meal. Collect information on what you eat and how much you eat to understand the relationship between meal composition and blood sugar levels. Identify the nutrients that account for the largest proportion of the foods that produce high postprandial blood sugar levels, and then design a personalized meal plan that takes into account the insulin response of those nutrients. Determine the appropriate intake ratio to prevent hypoglycemia and maintain nutritional status. Below are examples of nutrient ratios provided by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korean Diabetes Association.