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Horm Metab Res 2007; 39(9): 687-693
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-985811
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© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Importance and Effect of Dietary Fiber in Diabetes Prevention with Particular Consideration of Whole Grain Products

K. Kaline 1 , S. R. Bornstein 1 , A. Bergmann 1 , H. Hauner 2 , P. E. H. Schwarz 1
  • 1Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus at the Technical University of Dresden, Department of Medicine III, Genetics and Prevention of Diabetes, Dresden, Germany
  • 2Else Kröner-Fresenius-Centre for Nutritional Medicine, Technical University Munich, Am Forum 5, Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Received 03.05.2007

Accepted 20.06.2007

Publication Date:
10 September 2007 (online)

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Abstract

The state of prediabetes is characterized by an increase in insulin resistance and a decrease in pancreatic beta cell function. The prestage of type 2 diabetes mellitus can be identified by an impaired glucose tolerance and/or by an impaired fasting blood sugar. Apart from weight loss and increase in physical activity, the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus can also be prevented by dietary changes. A low-fat diet with a dietary fiber intake of more than 30 g/d was shown to represent an effective preventive approach. A high-fiber diet has many positive effects on the physical health status. In addition to positive effects in the gastrointestinal tract it has an obvious potential to support weight reduction and to improve disturbances of carbohydrate and fat metabolism. At the present state of knowledge, insoluble dietary fibers as found in whole grain cereal products are considered to be especially effective in the prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus. A high intake of fruits and vegetables as well as pulses also exerts health-promoting properties. A high-fiber diet also plays an important role in the prevention of obesity and coronary heart diseases.

Key words

Dietary fiber - type 2 diabetes mellitus - glucose intolerance - insulin resistance - prevention - insoluble dietary fibers - healthy lifestyle

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Correspondence

Dr. med. P. E. H. Schwarz

Department of Medicine III

Carl Gustav Carus Medical School

Dresden University of Technology

Fetscherstrasse 74

01307 Dresden

Germany

Phone: +49/351/458 27 15

Fax: +49/351/458 73 19

Email: peter.schwarz@uniklinikum-dresden.de