Kids and Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a condition characterized by insulin resistance as well as the inability of beta cells (found in the pancreas) to secrete enough insulin. Insulin functions to lower blood sugar levels. When the effects of insulin are blunted or when too little insulin is released, blood sugar levels rise. Type 2 diabetes is most common in adults after the age of 40 years hence the name adult-onset diabetes. However, in the last 20 years, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in children has been skyrocketing. In 1982, type 2 diabetes accounted for only 4% of all diabetes cases in children and adolescents. Type 2 diabetes now accounts for almost 50% of diabetes cases (1).

A large percentage of children's caloric intake comes from simple sugars in the form of soft drinks, sweets, and candies. Not only are simple sugars a source of calories that have no nutritive value otherwise known as empty calories but simple sugars also cause wild swings in blood glucose levels, which ultimately results in greater hunger and further encourages fat storage.

An exciting new substitute for sugar is stevia. Stevia is an herb that is native to South and Central America with a sweetness 300 times greater than sugar. Stevia has no calories and, therefore, contains no simple sugars.

But unlike chemically derived sucralose, saccharine, or aspartame no calorie sweeteners found in sugar substitutes stevia has additional health benefits. Stevia has been shown to reduce systolic blood pressure by 13 points and diastolic pressure by 14 points in hypertensive patients (2). Stevia also helps reduces inflammation, acts as an anti-diarrheal, and assists the immune system with its daily job of protecting you (3).

The glucose lowering effects of stevia are most encouraging. The Guarani Indians of Brazil have used the stevia plant for centuries to treat diabetes. Not only does stevia have no calories or sugar, but it actually helps to lower blood glucose levels in diabetics. The mechanism of action is by lowering glucagon levels. Glucagon is a hormone that raises glucose levels. Stevia lowers glucagons levels by an average of 30%.

Clearly, a hindrance to the public acceptance of stevia has been its availability. Stevia is approved as a food additive in Brazil and Japan. However, the FDA delayed the approval of Stevia as a food additive for decades despite evidence to prove that stevia resulted in no toxicity symptoms (4). As such, Stevia was considered a "dietary supplement". In December 2008, the FDA approved stevia as a safe food and drink additive. Currently, there are several soft drinks on the market that contain stevia instead of sugar. In the near future, there is a little doubt that many high sugar foods and drinks will make the switch to stevia.

A typical 12-ounce can of soda contains 160 calories and 40 grams of simple sugars compared to sodas sweetened with stevia that contain no calories and no sugar. The addition of stevia to common foods and drinks could have a tremendous impact on the health of children who either have diabetes or are at risk for diabetes. Even if a diabetic child switched from regular soft drinks to those containing stevia and made no other dietary changes this could save 300-500 calories daily. Over just a 6-month period, this could result in a loss of 20 pounds. This amount of weight reduction along with the glucose lowering effects of stevia are substantial enough that diabetes could be improved or even totally reversed.

Switching children over to a diet of whole foods which incorporate plenty of phytonutrients rich fruits and vegetables is a great start in helping their bodies to heal. Stevia can be used in any recipe that calls for sugar and is a delicious addition to juicing and smoothie recipes that offer a nutritional powerhouse of natures best liquid vitamins . If to busy to juice stevia can be added to additive free aloe vera juice for a nutritionally sound, sweet and flavorful beverage. Stevia can be used in any recipe that calls for sugar. That includes cookies, cakes and other pastries. Stevia has no boundaries and is the perfect total sugar replacement.

Overall, the recent approval of stevia is exciting news for anyone concerned about maintaining a healthy body weight and maintaining stable blood glucose levels. Foods and drinks containing stevia should be promoted in children with type 2 diabetes because they are safe, effective, and have great potential to improve outcomes of those with this most dangerous disease condition.

Dr. Linda Kennedy MS SLP ND

References

1. American Diabetes Association. Type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents. Diabetes Care. 2000;23:381-389.

2. Chan P, Tomlinson B, Chen YJ, Liu JC, Hsieh MH, Cheng JT. A double-blind placebo-controlled study of the effectiveness and tolerability of oral stevioside in human hypertension. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2000 Sep;50(3):215-20.

3. Roberts A, Munro I. Stevioside and related compounds: Therapeutic benefits beyond sweetness. Pharmacol Ther. 2009 Apr 1. [Epub ahead of print].

4. Brusick DJ. A critical review of the genetic toxicity of steviol and steviol glycosides. Food Chem Toxicol. 2008 Jul;46 Suppl 7:S83-91.