Natural food sources for the control of glycemia and the prevention of diabetic complications

Obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes mellitus have reached epidemic proportions in developed countries, where they constitute a major health challenge in the adult population. Treatment of diabetes relies on a combination of strict control of hyperglycemia and hypertension, changes in dietary and activity habits, and obesity reduction. Although long‐term marked weight loss is a difficult goal to achieve because of poor compliance, diet adjustments consisting of intake of functional foods and supplements are often more acceptable for the patient in view of their naturopathic connotation. This chapter deals with the vast literature that has appeared in the last decade on specific food nutrients with purported beneficial effects to prevent type 2 diabetes and its microvascular and macrovascular complications, including nephropathy, retinopathy, ischemic heart disease, and cerebrovascular disease. Numerous clinical and experimental studies support the favorable effects of nutraceuticals, more often of plant origin. This is hardly surprising because scientific interest in these foods has often been prompted by folk medicine tenets and traditional, ethnic fare. Non‐plant‐derived dietary supplements are also discussed. However, the challenging step, which has not been attained yet, remains the preparation of adequate diet protocols that may efficaciously convey the collected data. On one hand, these protocols should suit the individual patient's medical needs, life habits, and cultural/religious beliefs. On the other hand, they should combine, based on a sound scientific rationale, a spectrum of food supplements of proved beneficial properties to reach an optimal, synergistic effect.