Is ingestion of Thasus gigas (Xamues) an alimentary culture or an auxiliary treatment for type II diabetes?
BACKGROUND
Diabetes is a disease characterized by high blood glucose levels that result from the body's inability to produce and/or use insulin. Among different types of diabetes, type II diabetes is the most common. This work studied the causes and effects of Thasus gigas on the population of Actopan, Hidalgo regarding its ingestion and utility in the treatment of type II diabetes.


METHODS
An exploratory study was carried out based on a survey conducted among the residents of Actopan, Hidalgo suffering from diabetes mellitus (type II). In order to investigate the effect of the ingestion of insects "xohues" or "shamues", a study was conducted on 100 adults among the population of Actopan, Hidalgo in order to get information on Thasus gigas consumption. The study was designed to identify the relationships between its usage, effects on human health, the reasons for its consumption by the Actopan community; either for cultural matters or as an alternative treatment to manage type II diabetes.


RESULTS
Of the 100 persons surveyed, 39 were diabetic, 29 made medical outpatient visits. Among these, 21 had eaten Xamues to manage their diabetes while 21.5% replaced their medical treatment with Xamues. Of the 53% of the people who ingested Xamues as an alternative for their disease, 13% abandoned their medical treatment while 33% consumed them for alimentary culture.


CONCLUSIONS
People who have stopped attending medical checkups are at risk, because there is no evidence that ingestion of these insects can regulate blood glucose levels.
Institute of Health Sciences. Hidalgo State University, Pachuca City, Hidalgo State, Mexico.
Nallely
N
Monroy Moncayo
Institute of Health Sciences. Hidalgo State University, Pachuca City, Hidalgo State, Mexico.
Esmeralda
E
Valdez Vargas
Institute of Health Sciences. Hidalgo State University, Pachuca City, Hidalgo State, Mexico.
Majli Merari
MM
Amador Chávez
Institute of Health Sciences. Hidalgo State University, Pachuca City, Hidalgo State, Mexico.
Dulce Gisela
DG
García Fragoso
Institute of Health Sciences. Hidalgo State University, Pachuca City, Hidalgo State, Mexico.
Josefina
J
Reynoso Vázquez
Institute of Health Sciences. Hidalgo State University, Pachuca City, Hidalgo State, Mexico.
Minarda
M
De la O Arciniega
Institute of Health Sciences. Hidalgo State University, Pachuca City, Hidalgo State, Mexico.
Jesús Carlos
JC
Ruvalcaba Ledezma
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D003469:Culture; D003625:Data Collection; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D004435:Eating; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007313:Insecta; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D009042:Motivation; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care
D001786:Blood Glucose
Alimentary culture; Thasus gigas; medical treatment; type II diabetes