Clincal nutrition Literature review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Clincal nutrition - Literature review Example rsial topic in that there are multiple different recommendations in existence regarding the use of diets with low Glycemic index (GI) in its treatment. In the light of the ensuing controversy, the need for more research into the study is evident; thus this literature review. In this review, different sources are analyzed with regards to the authors’examinations on the effects of dietary (glycemic factors) in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.Majority of the reviewed studies indicate that indeed, the glycemic index is a major consideration in diabetes mellitus management. Diabetes mellitus refers to a collection of metabolic disorders that are associated with defects in insulin action, insulin secretion, or both. They are characterized by the presence of high blood sugar levels over a long span period. The effect of insulin defect arises when the pancreas cannot produce sufficient insulin, or if cells in the body fail to respond to the produced insulin. When this happens, three types of diabetes are imminent; type 1 diabetes due to insufficient secretion of insulin, type 2 diabetes due to cell resistance to insulin, and gestational diabetes which is experienced when expectant mothers develop high levels of blood glucose. If the disorders go unnoticed, they develop into complications such as nonketotic hyperosmolar coma or diabetic ketoacidiosis in the short term. Long term complications such as kidney failure, cardiovascular disease, eye damage, stroke, or foot ulcers may develop if the disorders are not treated in time. Brand-Miller, Hayne, Petocz, and Colagiuri (2003, p. 2261) conducted studies aimed at answering the query whether low glycemic index diets significantly improved glycemic control in diabetes patients as compared to high glycemic index diets. There were 203 type 1 and 153 type 2 diabetes patients. The evaluation was to be done depending on the levels of fructosamine and HbA1c levels before and after the tests for a period of 12 weeks. The low-GI