Diabetes Control Diet – Can Vitamin K Prevent Diabetes?
The American Diabetes Association estimates that 25.8 million Americans are diabetic; that’s more than 8 percent of the entire population. We know that type 2 diabetes is a lifestyle disease, one that is completely preventable and treatable with proper nutrition. And scientists have found that vitamin K may have a prominent place in a diabetes control diet.
According to Reuters Health, researchers found that among a group of more than 38,000 Dutch adults, those with the most vitamin K intake were least likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. They were 20% less likely to than the other study participants.
Scientists caution that the study wasn’t enough to say with certainty that vitamin K is the cause for the lowered risk, but that there is a link and more research is needed.
The study looked at two forms of vitamin K, K1 and K2. While both were related to a lower risk of diabetes, K2 shows the stronger relationship.
The study monitored the 38,094 participants for more than 10 years. All were between the ages of 20 and 70, both men and women. Questionnaires allowed researchers to estimate each person’s average intake of vitamin K.
In the study period, 918 participants were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. For each increase of 10-microgram of K2, a participant’s risk of being diagnosed with the disease dropped. With K1, the risk decrease wasn’t noticeable until the intake of the vitamin was high.
The one-quarter of participants with the highest levels of vitamin K intake had about a 20% less likely chance of type 2 diabetes. The research also accounted for other lifestyle factors such as weight, age, and exercise habits, as well as consumption of other nutrients.
Previous studies have highlighted the link between vitamin K and osteoporosis.
Diabetes Control Diet – Foods Containing Vitamin K
Where can you get your daily dose of vitamin K? K1 is most abundant in green leafy vegetables and oils including:
- Kale
- Spinach
- Swiss chard
- Parsley
- Broccoli
- Soybean oil
- Olive oil
K2 on the other hand, is mostly found in animal products, so add be sure to add these foods to your diabetes control diet:
- Meat
- Cheese
- Eggs
- Cream
- Butter
What else can be included in a diabetes control diet? A magnesium and diabetes connection has been made, with research showing that magnesium may play an integral role in helping to prevent type 2 diabetes – the type escalating in children. So, consuming some magnesium-rich foods like beans, seeds, or nuts may be of extremely benefit. Turmeric spice has also been shown to cut heart disease and diabetes risk.
Additional Sources:
