Dr Nicola Guess

Do I need to limit glucose spikes to prevent type two diabetes?

In this video, I discuss the common misconception that limiting glucose spikes prevents type 2 diabetes. I explain that elevated glucose as a symptom of underlying pathophysiology of beta-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance. Overwhelmingly the evidence demonstrates the best way of fixing the underlying pathophysiology is weight loss, even modest weight loss; and remaining physically active. There are also a couple of dietary aspects which can be modified to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes independent of weight loss or physical activity and these include increasing fibre and reducing sugar-sweetened beverages. The reason clarifying this Is important is because I see people doing stuff like adding Greek yoghurt to fruit which is just adding unnecessary calories to healthy foods…..

Do I need to avoid bananas if they make my blood glucose go up?

One of the most common questions I get asked!Here I explain why b...One of the most common questions I get asked! Here I explain why bananas are not harmful despite the fact they cause blood glucose to go up. Outside of diabetes, we don’t have solid evidence that glucose per se is causing harm. In prediabetes the clinical goal should be fixing the underlying pathophysiology - mostly this is about weight loss and physical activity; However, there are some nutritive components that seem to fix the underlying pathophysiology independent of weight and exercise and that includes the resistant starch which is in foods like bananas!! For people who have diabetes – where the evidence is rock solid that glucose reaches a concentration which causes direct harm - people may want to limit their carbohydrate, which can include reducing intake of food like bananas. However, bear in mind that diabetes isn’t just about glucose and bananas have a bunch of goodness in them which is going to help lower blood pressure and blood lipids as part of a healthy diet.