New Study: Healthy Fats Help Decrease Type 2 Diabetes Risk Factors

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A new study from researchers at Tufts University and the University of Cambridge reports that eating more unsaturated fats or saturated fats in place of dietary carbohydrates lowers blood sugar levels and improves insulin resistance and secretion.

According to the Mayo Clinic, healthy fats consist of mainly monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats, like certain types of fish and nuts, as well as room temperature oils like olive oil, safflower oil, and peanut oil. Fats to avoid are found in beef, butter, shortening and pork.

The findings of the study looked at 102 randomized controlled trials of over four thousand adults, who had meals that varied in types of amounts of fat and carbs.

The study revealed that for each five percent of dietary energy switched from carbs to saturated fats, mono- or polyunsaturated fats, there was a 22% reduction in the incidence of type 2 diabetes and a 6.8 percent reduction of cardiovascular disease.

Latinos and Diabetes Prevention

Latinos face higher risks for type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Being aware of the latest evidence-based research on healthy diet recommendations may help reduce the growing health risks of diabetes.

The National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), is a healthy eating and physical activity lifestyle change program for individuals with prediabetes.

Programs like this offer hope to many individuals, including Latinos. Studies of the DPP found that through participating in this program many individuals reversed their risk for type II diabetes by up to 50%. In some studies, the DPP curriculum was tailored to reach Latinos. While many of these studies show that the DPP holds great promise there’s also room for improvement.

For instance, most of these studies were conducted with women and participants often dropped out of the program.

Researchers hope to help inform scientists, clinicians, and the public on these findings and help lessen the growing risk of diabetes for Latinos and all populations.