Malnutrition is at the root of most lifestyle-related diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Therefore, adopting a healthy and nutritious diet is crucial to treat these patients and prevent further complications.
Recent research published in nutrients Investigate the effects of healthy dietary interventions on various body weight and cardiometabolic parameters.
study: Effects of nutritional interventions on glycemic control and cardiovascular risk markers in type 2 diabetes.. Image credit: Pixel-Shot / Shutterstock.com
T2DM and obesity
T2DM remains a major public health problem worldwide, affecting approximately 540 million people aged 20 to 80 years. The high prevalence of T2DM can be attributed to the aging of the world’s population and the deterioration of modern lifestyles.
At the same time, the prevalence of obesity and overweight is also increasing worldwide, with approximately 700 million and 2.3 billion people considered obese and overweight, respectively. Obesity makes her more susceptible to T2DM, both of which increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Previous studies have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory and fat-reducing effects of calorie restriction. This dietary approach can also increase leptin sensitivity, modulate gut microbiota composition and metabolite profiles, and promote the formation of metabolically active brown fat.
Dietary interventions in T2DM
Nutritional re-education based on the importance of balanced fat, carbohydrate and protein concentrations to control T2DM”
Various dietary interventions have been proposed for the management of T2DM. Importantly, these diets must be adapted to individual preferences, culture, and financial constraints. Self-monitoring and supervision are also important to facilitate careful observation of glycemic parameters used to adjust interventions and improve adherence.
A multidisciplinary approach may be best to achieve long-term success. For example, multiple strategies can be used, such as incorporating culturally sensitive language and media, encouraging physical activity, promoting medication compliance, and modifying food ranges as directed.
Both the Mediterranean Diet and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet have been shown to protect against cardiometabolic and psychiatric diseases. These diets offer a wide variety of foods that are delicious, consistent with improved overall health, and compatible with long-term sustainability. Nevertheless, these diets need to be adapted to local food cultures and economies.
In summary, simple lifestyle modifications are essential for successful management of T2DM. These include eating slowly, chewing properly, timing your meals correctly, getting enough sleep, and taking a healthy walk after meals.
About research
The current study is a preliminary attempt to establish the clinical value of specific dietary interventions in diabetes. Additionally, the study was conducted in Brazil, where 60% and 25% of the population are overweight and obese, respectively, and there are thought to be approximately 16 million people with diabetes.
The non-randomized, open-label study involved a total of 84 diabetic participants, of whom 44 received treatment and 40 served as controls. The age of the diabetic patients ranged from 18 to 80 years.
All study participants received baseline medical care. However, treated patients also underwent quarterly dietary assessments. At each visit, she had 6 to 9 patients.
Study participants were advised to choose a diet that roughly corresponded to a locally modified Mediterranean or DASH diet and to personalize it. A follow-up session was conducted at 15 months.
What did the research show?
Blood glucose levels in the treatment group decreased after the third month, and the effect persisted at follow-up visits. In controls, blood sugar levels rose from his first month to the ninth month and remained high at follow-up visits.
Controls had worse glycemic control as reflected by elevated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). In the treatment group, HbA1c levels decreased from his 1st to 3rd month and remained stable at low levels until the follow-up visit.
In the control group, weight gain and increased BMI values were observed, while in the treatment group, body weight decreased by approximately 11% from the start of the experiment. Waist circumference and waist-hip ratio (WHR) decreased in the intervention group over the study period.
Weight loss of 5-7% can normalize or significantly lower blood sugar levels in patients with T2DM. Therefore, the weight loss observed in the current study reflects the long-term utility of nutritional intervention for this condition.
No significant changes in cholesterol levels were observed in the treatment group, whereas cholesterol levels increased from 6 to 15 months in the control group. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides, both important CVD risk markers, decreased only at 6 months in the control group, but remained significantly decreased from month 1 through month 3 and beyond at follow-up visits. Met.
Differences in blood pressure levels were observed between groups from the beginning of the study to follow-up visits. A significant decrease in heart rate was also observed from 3 months prior to follow-up.
Therefore, the dietary intervention was associated with significantly improved outcomes in all parameters compared to controls. These differences persisted after the study ended, with the exception of an increase in his BMI in both groups.
Importantly, the types of foods habitually consumed changed significantly in the treatment groups. High carbohydrates, sweeteners, highly processed foods, and poor money management led patients in the treatment group to eat more fresh or minimally processed foods and less ultra-processed foods. Home-cooked meals were also prepared and eaten more frequently in this group compared to baseline levels. However, no changes in dietary habits were recorded for controls.
conclusion
Particularly from a public health perspective, it is critical to incorporate nutritional management into lifestyle change programs with the aim of optimizing and maintaining results in the long term.”
Personalized nutrition led to better dietary habits, and improvements in body weight parameters, cardiovascular markers, and biochemical values were observed in T2DM patients throughout the study period. These durable results during follow-up may be due to the wide range of foods allowed, including carbohydrates such as rice and beans that are prohibited in many common diets. Masu.
Both the Mediterranean and DASH diets were popular with the intervention group because they can be customized to suit cultural and economic considerations. Nevertheless, monitoring and re-education are essential to raise and maintain awareness about the health, economic and social impacts of food choices.
Consistent monitoring and individualized nutritional management are essential to optimize long-term outcomes…Once informed and aware, individuals have full autonomy and are able to make more informed choices to obtain more nutritious food.”
Due to the non-randomized nature of the current study, further well-designed clinical trials are needed to validate these findings and obtain more generalizable results.
Reference magazines:
- Minari, TP, Manzano, CF, Tacito, LHB, other. (2024). Effects of nutritional interventions on glycemic control and cardiovascular risk markers in type 2 diabetes. nutrients. doi:10.3390/nu16091378.
