Type 2 diabetes and LDL cholesterol are different enemies but the threat they pose is the same. Both conditions, if left untreated, will ravage your body and lead to heart disease, a major killer both in the UK and worldwide. Type 2 diabetes does this by causing your blood sugar levels to spike, a process that can rupture your blood vessels.
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Type 2 diabetes: Drink to lower blood sugar
LDL Cholesterol is a waxy substance that can stick to the inside of your artery walls, starving the heart of oxygen and blood.
Fortunately, certain dietary decisions can act as a bulwark against both high blood sugar levels and high cholesterol.
Eggs have been shown to be particularly adept at multitasking.
In several studies, eggs have been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and modify the size and shape of your “bad” LDL cholesterol.
How does improving insulin sensitivity help?
Insulin is the hormone that regulates blood sugar but if you have diabetes, your pancreas does not produce enough insulin to have this moderating effect or your cells do not take it up.
What’s more, eggs have been shown to increase your “good” HDL cholesterol levels.
HDL cholesterol counters the harmful effects of LDL cholesterol by picking it up from your artery walls and transporting it to the liver where it is flushed out.
In one study, people with type 2 diabetes who consumed two eggs daily as part of a high-protein diet had improvements in cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
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In addition, eggs are one of the best sources of lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that protect the eyes from disease, research shows.
This is significant because high blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels in the eyes.
To reap the benefits, researchers recommend eating the whole egg.
The benefits of eggs are primarily due to nutrients found in the yolk rather than the white.
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Diabetes type 2 symptoms – the patch on your skin you shouldn’t ignore
What to avoid
It is important to avoid items that hike your blood sugar levels and top of the list are foods with a high carbohydrate content.
Carbohydrate is broken down into glucose relatively quickly and therefore has a more pronounced effect on blood sugar levels than either fat or protein.
The worst culprits are refined carbs such as white bread.
In regards to cholesterol, shun saturated fats, such as processed foods where possible, because these unhealthy fats raise LDL cholesterol levels.
Type 2 diabetes – how do I know I have it?
Many people have type 2 diabetes without realising. This is because symptoms do not necessarily make you feel unwell.
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes can include:
- Urinating more than usual, particularly at night
- Feeling thirsty all the time
- Feeling very tired
- Losing weight without trying to
- Itching around your penis or vagina, or repeatedly getting thrush
- Cuts or wounds taking longer to heal
- Blurred vision
See a GP if you have any of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes or you’re worried you may have a higher risk of getting it, advises the NHS.
“You’ll need a blood test, which you may have to go to your local health centre for if it cannot be done at your GP surgery,” it adds.
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