Aboriginals resume traditional diet to curb diabetes epidemic

[Citruskiss]

This story was on "The National" on CBC last night - interestingly, the doctor specializing in helping aboriginals return to a more traditional diet was speaking about using the term "traditional aboriginal diet" rather than "low carb" in order to explain the benefits of this diet without all the baggage that may or may not be associated with the "low-carb" moniker. He was saying in the interview that it's a low carb plan, but that in order to explain it fully, he wanted to focus more on the fact that it was a "return" to a traditional diet that had been successful for hundreds of years in the aboriginal community. He also talked about how many aboriginals haven't had as long to "adapt" to a high carbohydrate diet and that because of this, they're experiencing an epidemic of sorts - diabetes.

Anyway, it was an interesting news item on the news last night. Here's more:



Aboriginals resume traditional diet to curb diabetes epidemic
Last Updated Fri, 11 Feb 2005 20:05:37 EST
CBC News

CAMPBELL RIVER, B.C. - Rates of obesity and diabetes in some aboriginal communities are up to 50 per cent higher than the Canadian average, but reverting to a more traditional diet may help address the problem.

For some aboriginals, cutting down on carbohydrates isn't so much a fad diet, rather it's a more modern version of the traditional diet eaten by their ancestors more than 100 years ago.
Jim Wilson

* INDEPTH: Aboriginal Canadians

Jim Wilson of the We Wai Kai Nation grew up on Cape Mudge reserve off Vancouver Island, where seafood was a staple of his diet.

As overfishing and pollution made seafood scarce, he switched to eating fast food. "Every day something from McDonald's, just because I wasn't cooking for myself," Wilson recalled.

In 1987, Wilson's weight reached 345 pounds, he was extremely thirsty and had failing vision. Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, Wilson was able to control the condition with insulin injections.

Last summer, after weeks on a low-carb diet, he found he didn't need the needles as often. Within a few months, he was jab-free.

* INDEPTH: Diet Primer

It was Dr. Jay Wortman, a public health specialist in Vancouver, who challenged Wilson to return to traditional aboriginal eating habits with a low-carb diet that includes fruits and vegetables.

"Other people have had thousands of years, many generations to become accustomed to a diet that is higher in refined carbohydrates," said Wortman. "Aboriginal people haven't."

* FROM JAN. 20, 2002: Aboriginal attitudes changing about diabetes

* FROM APRIL 13, 2001: U of A program targets aboriginal diabetes

Wortman believes the dietary and lifestyle changes are at the root of the diabetes epidemic among Canada's aborignal peoples.

Recommending a low-carb approach validates the wisdom of aboriginal ancestors who ate mainly berries, nuts and protein rather than mostly carbohydrates, Wortman said.

The science behind the diet is evolving.

Atkins is the most studied low-carb diet, and research shows it can help people lose weight and doesn't seem to harm cholesterol, but longer studies are needed to test if it helps prevent or treat diabetes.

In the meantime, Wilson says he's proud of his accomplishments to date, adding he would like to exercise more and shed another 100 pounds.

Copyright ©2005 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation - All Rights Reserved

source: http://www.cbc.ca/story/science/national/2005/02/11/diet-aboriginal050211.html

[Angeline]

Interesting story. I like how they didn't shy away from saying the diet was low-carb. I had to shake my head at this "Atkins is the most studied low-carb diet, and research shows it can help people lose weight and doesn't seem to harm cholesterol, but longer studies are needed to test if it helps prevent or treat diabetes."

How many more anecdoctal stories do they need? If I was the ADA, I'd be funding studies like crazy. They have the cure in their hands but yet they are just sitting around. Makes you wonder why doesn't it? Could Big Pharma have anything to do with this hmmmmm?

[quietone]

Part big Pharma and part big food industry.

Can you imagine the panic if the ADA said "don't eat any grain, because it can cause diabetes?"

But then again, look at cigs, we know what they do, and people keep using them.

[woodpecker]

Wortman believes the dietary and lifestyle changes are at the root of the diabetes epidemic among Canada's aborignal peoples.

WOW. What about the rest of us? I wish these scientists weren't all working in a dark room.

[misskimbee]

Yeah, I think they are just trying to figure out why diabetes has become an epidemic in the aboriginal populations...I can understand that.

My mother is Metis Indian and diabetes runs in our family.....if you try to feed any elder store-bought meat, that elder will get sick because their body is so accustomed to traditional food and game that hasn't been pumped up with artificial hormone bunk stuff! :) Also a traditional aboriginal diet consists very little of carb-rich foods. Except for bannock. MMMMMMM, bannock!

[jon...]

WOW. What about the rest of us? I wish these scientists weren't all working in a dark room.

The*rest* of us on this continent are mostly of european or asian heritage and come from cultures that have had thousands of years to become accustomed to denatured foods with high sugar content,and other poisons such as alcohol.
The fact that these doctors are looking for cures for aboriginal peoples problems due to their recently new diet does not mean they are working in a dark room or leaving the *rest* of us out.
All cultures have different nutritional needs that must be met.
These people are part of the solution.
I personally know many b.c. natives and their traditional diet was extremely low in carbs.
If it works for them it is probably a sign that it is good for all of us.

[woodpecker]

Originally posted by Jon
european or asian heritage ... that have had thousands of years to become accustomed to denatured foods with high sugar content,and other poisons such as alcohol.

Jon, permit me to comment on this. The "epidemic" of diabetes is relatively new. The term "epidemic" has only been used in the last 10 years or so that I am aware of - even for people of European heritage. Many Asian countries have not known much diabetes until recently. Walter Willett of Harvard comments on this in his recent book stating that it was a mystery the high carbohydrate consumption in parts of China did not cause higher levels of diseases like diabetes. He speculates that Chinese who were mostly thin and active had a natural tolerance to diabetes; noting that diabetes in now on a significant upswing there in the "leisure class."

High sugar consumption itself is relatively new to most cultures, really beginning only about 200 years ago. In North America sugar consumption increased by 20% between 1970 and 2000; while grain consumption increased by 50% and overall carbohydrate consumption increased by almost 30%. Since many starches (carbohydrates) are quickly reduced to glucose in the system, it is irrelevant whether the source is sugar or other carbs. While diabetes Type 2 seems to have a genetic predisposition, change of diet/lifestyle appears to be the major factor (i.e., lack of exercise, already being overweight and high carb consumption). Diabetes was never discussed in my family until my father, and then brother, both became diabetic. If the aboriginal peoples in Canada stepped into the same diet that the average North American is consuming, I would have no doubt that diabetes would become an epidemic with them too. It is possible that they are even more sensitive to carbohydrates than other cultures; however, perhaps they are eating more than the average amount of carbohydrates too (i.e., eating at McDonalds everyday wouldn't help).

Alcohol may be a poison, however pure alcohol does not affect blood sugar levels and probably has little to do with diabetes. Willett suggests that moderate consumption of alcohol protects against diabetes.

Originally posted by Angeline.
How many more anecdoctal stories do they need? If I was the ADA, I'd be funding studies like crazy. They have the cure in their hands but yet they are just sitting around. Makes you wonder why doesn't it? Could Big Pharma have anything to do with this hmmmmm?

I agree Angeline. The proof is already there if they would look at it. The average weight gain in North America has been 30 pounds per person since 1970, paralleling increased carb consumption (total average calorie consumption has increased by 15%). If carbohydrate consumption dropped by 30% (back to 1970 levels) and exercise levels increased, diabetes would still be with us, but the epidemic would probably be gone.

Without increasing exercise and simply losing 15 pounds, my fasting blood sugar level dropped 22%. Low carb is keeping the weight off and the blood sugars in line. Unfortunately for many diabetics, the ADA is still promoting "eat lots and lots of starches... Starches are good for you because they have very little fat, saturated fat, or cholesterol." They will send many people to an early grave, medicated by big Pharma along the way.