By Gabe Sanders Ph.D., NSCA-CSCS
Type II Diabetes can negatively affect your metabolism. The reason for the metabolic complication is due to a diabetic person’s inability to break down and deliver nutrients, primarily fat and carbohydrates.
In addition to this difficulty of breaking down food, if Type II diabetics are obese and consume poor diets that consist of processed carbohydrates and saturated fat, they may be further damaging their health. The combination of unhealthy carbohydrates and greasy, high-fat foods can further aggravate their already compromised metabolism and even cause more adverse health effects, especially after consuming fast food.
Fast food sandwiches and pizzas primarily consist of processed carbohydrates and greasy fried proteins or meats that are often infused with preservatives and chemicals to enhance their flavor. Sounds delicious right? Not so fast. While you might enjoy the way the greasy food tastes, you probably are not fully aware of the devastating effect it can have on your body and even your heart. That’s right, new research is suggesting that your heart works harder after eating fast food.
Type II diabetics experience an increase in cardiac workload
A recent study found that Type II diabetics experienced an increase in their cardiac workload after consuming fast food when they were compared to an age-matched control group. Even more frightening is that engaging in exercise before eating fast food did not improve cardiac function after consuming fast food in any of the participants, whether they were Type II diabetic or not.
The fact that not even exercise can help counter the negative effect of fast food and improve your cardiac function or metabolism is a compelling argument to urge you or other people you know, specifically Type II diabetics, to avoid fast food altogether.
Not only can the consumption of fast food lead to weight gain, it also places immediate stress on your heart and your health. If you must eat at fast-food restaurants, it is best to select the healthiest options available such as salads or grilled chicken items and skip the French fries, bread, and greasy hamburgers.
Article’s Sources
Hollekim-Strand SM, Malmo V, Follestad T, Wisloff U, Ingul CB. Fast food increases postprandial cardiac workload in type 2 diabetes independent of pre-exercise: A pilot study. Nutrition Journal. 2015 14:79.