I have been thinking lately that white rice may partly be responsible for the growing problem of type 2 diabetes in he countries where it is consumed as a staple food. Despite being consumed by a great majority of people who live in the low and middle income countries and the fact that observational studies have indicated that it increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, it appears that very little attention has been focused on trying to substitute it with a better alternative.
It also interests me that the projected increase in the global burden of type 2 diabetes is expected mostly in regions where white rice is the main staple. I know that most people would assume, as suggested by findings, that adoption of western lifestyle in most countries should be blamed more than white rice for the increasing problem of diabetes even in rice consuming countries. My guess would be that consumption of white rice as a staple food in these countries far outweighs western diets. Also, diet has since been shown to induce epigenetic changes in growing fetuses with consequent increase in the risk of type 2 diabetes. Does anyone know if there have been studies that looked at the transgenerational effects of white rice consumption on type 2 diabetes? Isnt it possible that its excess consumption produces changes that are transmitted across generations, which is somehow helping the problem of diabetes grow even more in some countries?
I am inclined to think that epigenetic changes induced by white rice may be contributing to the rising incidence of type 2 diabetes. If so, shouldnt less consumption of white rice feature prominently in the approach to prevention of type 2 diabetes in these countries?
I absolutely agree with your observations. While rice itself might not be the source of risk, the popular preferred form (white rice) could certainly be a major risk factor. However, heavy dependence on rice diets usually bears links to economic and social conditions, possibly putting poorer segments of these communities at greater risk.
My opinion is that major R&D investments in healthier rice products can provide valuable contributions in the fight against Type II diabetes. In a recent pilot clinical trial involving Type II diabetics (unpublished) we have been able to show that continuous intake of parboiled germinated brown rice can result in significant improvements in both blood glucose and blood pressure.
Welcome to the 9th Asia Pacific Conference on Clinical Nutrition to be held on 26-29 Jan 2015 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia which includes a debate on "Is rice to be blamed for the rising diabetes in the region".
Hi Kamara, unfortunately the closing date for submissions has passed.
Thank you Prof Khor. I will be at the conference, and coincidentally, I have a poster entitled "In-utero exposure to white rice increases risk of insulin resistance in rats".
Thank you Mustapha for submitting your poster. Joseph, I am afraid the deadline for posters is over but we certainly welcome you to attend the conference.
Thank you very much, I am very grateful for your responses and look forward to similar opportunities in the near future.
Dear Dr. Imam,
If I haven't already, I wish to share with you the difference germination treatment in combination with parboiling can make. These are the results of two separate pilot clinical trials.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286440199_Pilot_Studies_with_Parboiled_Germinated_Brown_Rice_Show_Improvements_in_the_Blood_Glucose_Levels_and_General_Well_Being_of_Type_II_Diabetics_in_Sierra_Leone
Regards,
Sherman.
Poster Pilot Studies with Parboiled Germinated Brown Rice Show Impr...
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Mathematical Sciences
- Graphs