The glycemic index allows foods to be ranked according to how much they raise the blood sugar. On the GI scale, pure glucose is set at 100 and the other foods are ranked accordingly, for example: pearl barley has a value of 33, oranges are 49 and whole wheat bread is 71. The GI concept was conceived of in 1979 by Dr. David Jenkins, together with Dr. Thomas Wolever MD, PhD, DM, and Dr. Alexandra Jenkins, PhD, RD, by way of research conducted at both Oxford University and the University of Toronto in an effort to determine which foods would be best for people with diabetes. Since then research has shown that a low GI diet may help prevent development of some chronic diseases and be helpful in controlling diabetes.

Glycemic Index Laboratories Inc., the Toronto, ON-based GI testing lab headed by Drs. Wolever, Vuksan and Jenkins, has experienced a flurry of activity in recent years. "Since the company began in 1997 and expanded in 2004, we have seen a steady increase in interest in our testing services," said Dr. Jenkins, who serves as the company's director of research. "The interest is coming from all areas of the food and beverage industry - everyone from large multi-national companies, to small niche manufacturers."

Dr Jenkins' major research focus has been the nutritional treatment of diabetes. She has volunteered extensively for the Canadian Diabetes Association; she chaired the National Nutrition Committee from 1989-1991 and the Grants for Applied Research in Diabetes Education, Management and Care Committee from 1996-2000. Presently she is an Associate Editor of the Canadian Journal of Diabetes. In recognition of her contributions, Dr. Jenkins received the Eli Lilly Graduate Scholarship Award in 2000, and in 2001 a Special Education Award from the CDA. She completed her PhD at the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom and is a registered dietitian. She has been an author or co-author on over 50 original publications and more than 48 chapters and reviews.

For more about the Glycemic Index laboratories visit their website: http://www.gilabs.com

 Dr. David Hite, Nutrition Educator

A lifelong educator with over 30 years experience, David has taught in California and around the world. A twenty-year veteran in public schools, his presentation skills were honed teaching biology, chemistry, and health education at the junior high, high school and community college levels. Additionally, David spent two years teaching science at Cairo American College in Egypt, and two years at Shanghai American School in China. He was twice honored by the state of California as a Mentor Teacher.

David earned a doctorate degree in health education for his research into women and their risks in the early HIV/AIDS epidemic and then supervised street outreach prevention programs for the public health department. David spent a year in South East Asia developing HIV/AIDS prevention programs in refugee camps on the western border in Thailand.

A professional member of the American Diabetes Association and the American Association of Diabetes Educators, he keeps abreast of the latest research and treatment strategies working daily with diabetes patients in his current position as a Clinical Health Educator in the Chronic Conditions Management Department for a major healthcare provider in Sacramento, California.

David’s innovative Diabetes Education DVD targets people trying to avoid diabetes or manage their diabetes with healthy lifestyle changes. learn more about his DVD at http://healthdoc.org