According to the network meta- analysis the Mediterranean diet is the most effective and efficacious dietary approach to improve glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes patients
The aim of the present study is to assess the comparative efficacy of different dietary approaches on glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus using a systematic review of the literature .
In type 2 diabetes, randomisation to advice to follow a low-carbohydrate diet transiently improves glycaemic control compared with advice to follow a low-fat diet producing a similar weight loss
Aims /hypothesisThe study aim ed to compare the effects of a 2 year intervention with a low-fat diet ( LFD ) or a low-carbohydrate diet ( LCD ) , based on four group meetings to achieve compliance . Methods This was a prospect i ve r and omised parallel trial involving 61 adults with type 2 diabetes consecutively recruited in primary care and r and omised by drawing ballots . Patients that did not speak Swedish could not be recruited . The primary outcomes in this non-blinded study were weight and HbA1c . Patients on the LFD aim ed for 55–60 energy per cent ( E% ) and those on LCD for 20 E% from carbohydrate . Results The mean BMI and HbA1c of the participants were 32.7 ± 5.4 kg/m2 and 57.0 ± 9.2 mmol/mol , respectively . No patients were lost to follow-up . Weight loss did not differ between groups and was maximal at 6 months : LFD −3.99 ± 4.1 kg ( n = 31 ) ; LCD −4.31 ± 3.6 kg ( n = 30 ) ; p < 0.001 within groups . At 24 months , patients on the LFD had lost −2.97 ± 4.9 kg and those on LCD −2.34 ± 5.1 kg compared with baseline ( p = 0.002 and p = 0.020 within groups , respectively ) . HbA1c fell in the LCD group only ( LCD at 6 months −4.8 ± 8.3 mmol/mol , p = 0.004 , at 12 months −2.2 ± 7.7 mmol/mol , p = 0.12 ; LFD at 6 months −0.9 ± 8.8 mmol/mol , p = 0.56 ) . At 6 months , HDL-cholesterol had increased with the LCD ( from 1.13 ± 0.33 mmol/l to 1.25 ± 0.47 mmol/l , p = 0.018 ) while LDL-cholesterol did not differ between groups . Insulin doses were reduced in the LCD group ( 0 months , LCD 42 ± 65 E , LFD 39 ± 51 E ; 6 months , LCD 30 ± 47 E , LFD 38 ± 48 E ; p = 0.046 for between-group change ) . Conclusions /interpretationWeight changes did not differ between the diet groups , while insulin doses were reduced significantly more with the LCD at 6 months , when compliance was good . Thus , aim ing for 20 % of energy intake from carbohydrates is safe with respect to cardiovascular risk compared with the traditional LFD and this approach could constitute a treatment alternative . Trial registration : Clinical Trials.gov NCT01005498 Funding : University Hospital of Linköping Research Funds , Linköping University , the County Council of Östergötl and , and the Diabetes Research Centre of Linköping
According to the network meta- analysis the Mediterranean diet is the most effective and efficacious dietary approach to improve glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes patients
The aim of the present study is to assess the comparative efficacy of different dietary approaches on glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus using a systematic review of the literature .