Daniela de Almeida
President of INUG Nutrition Nutrition and Gastronomy Institute Brazil
Title: Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals in Diabetes and Cardiovascular Diseases
Biography
Biography: Daniela de Almeida
Abstract
The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is rising worldwide, especially in older adults. Lifestyle changes, particularly in diet, can be highly effective in preventing, treatment, and even reversing type 2 diabetes. Lifestyle changes address the root causes of type 2 diabetes and can ameliorate comorbidities while reducing the risk of polypharmacy, particularly in the elderly. A variety of eating patterns are acceptable for the management of diabetes, like for example, plant-based diets. This kind of diet is especially potent in preventing and treating type 2 diabetes and have been associated with much lower rates of obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular mortality. In addition, a diet with a high content of nutraceutical can be an appropriate strategy. A nutraceutical compound is a substance which has physiological benefit or provides protection against chronic diseases, or specific clinical conditions. Nutraceuticals may be used to improve health, delay the aging process and prevent chronic diseases, like type 2 diabetes. Various nutraceuticals have been studied to evaluate their impact on type 2 diabetes, glycemic control in people with diabetes, and on the various complications of diabetes. Specific nutraceuticals have proven to be of benefit, like berberine, Gymnema sylvestre, Milk thistle, Ginger, Ganoderma lucidum, plantago ovata, aloe vera, fenugreek and others. Better knowledge of selected nutraceuticals and more appropriate formulations, leading to improved bioavailability, will certainly widen the use of these agents, already in large use for the management of these very frequent patient groups. These products are promising and merit consideration and further research.