Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in Western societies, with many misconceptions surrounding the management of it and its Metabolic Syndrome risk factors. "Diabetes and the Metabolic Syndrome" explains in an easy to understand way, to the health professional and lay person, how important the Metabolic Syndrome is in managing diabetes. Through a unique Hunter/Gatherer concept, Nasseem Malouf demonstrates how lifestyle factors of the 20th and 21st centuries have impacted so greatly on our bodies, causing chronic diseases such as diabetes. It contains information which is practical and achievable for anyone who wants to learn how to self manage the life-long challenges they will need to address and sustain to prevent, delay or control diabetes. Dr Malouf wants to open our eyes to the dangers of our daily food. Dr Malouf introduces a new pyramid of food, which places the fruit and vegetables at the base of the pyramid and not carbohydrates. He also explains his new concept of 'Bread Slice Equivalents' which places the sugar and fat content of everyday food into its bread slice equivalent. 'As a weight watcher it is important to realise that the single most important dietary factor is the energy in your food expressed in Calories or kilojoules. Yes - carbohydrates are important as you have diabetes, fats and types of fats are important as they are high in energy and could affect you blood fats, but total calories is most important. Because most people cannot relate to calories, I have expressed the energy content of foods in what I call 'Bread Slice Equivalents' defined as the calories found in a standard 30 gram slice of bread (70 Calories/293 kilojoules. This has been an eye opener for many of my patients.'

About the Author

Dr Nasseem Michael Malouf is a team member of the Diabetes Centre, Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes at The Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. He is an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) and an Accredited Nutritionist (AN) and has been working in diabetes education privately and publicly for 25 years.