From Lynda Pardo, PharmD(c)
Palm Beach Atlantic University College of Pharmacy
A new study that took place in Naples, Italy compared the effect of two well-known diets
that included regular exercise, in overweight type 2 diabetic patients. The purpose
of the study was to determine if either diet could reduce or eliminate the need for
antihyperglycemic medications. Investigators discovered that during the study
that lasted four years, subjects who followed the Mediterranean-style diet were able to
preserve lower blood glucose levels than the subjects adhering to the low-fat diet.
The 215 patients were randomly assigned to either diet. Those in the low-fat diet
were required to consume whole-grains, fruits, and vegetables along with low amounts
of fats and sweets - only 30% of their daily intake could be composed of fat and of that
no more than 10% could be saturated fat.
Subjects who followed the Mediterranean-style diet were also told to eat the same
quality of foods and to maintain the same maximum caloric intake of 1,800 calories/day
for men and 1,500 calories/day for women. The difference here though was that compared
to the low-fat diet group, the Mediterranean diet group was instructed to consume healthy
fats and to focus on lean proteins such as fish, poultry, and nuts. Also, this group was
limited to the amount of daily carbohydrate consumption - it could not exceed more than
half of their total daily calories.
The results showed that more than half of the patients on the Mediterranean diet were able
to control their glucose levels without taking medications (patients did not take medications
if A1c was
<7%) compared to only one-third of those on the low fat diet.
Although this study showed that those on the Mediterranean diet lost a bit more weight
and had better cholesterol levels than those on the low-fat diet, it is still not known
whether type 2 diabetic patients should stop taking their medication. Regardless of
the studies outcomes it was not evident if the results were due to the diet alone.
Many physicians follow the American Diabetes Associations recommendations which
are to advise the patient to implement diet and exercise while prescribing an anti-
hyperglycemic also. They are aware though that many people dislike having to take medications
and feel that perhaps those patients might be the ones to be motivated to implement such
lifestyle modifications.
Palm Beach Atlantic University College of Pharmacy
A new study that took place in Naples, Italy compared the effect of two well-known diets
that included regular exercise, in overweight type 2 diabetic patients. The purpose
of the study was to determine if either diet could reduce or eliminate the need for
antihyperglycemic medications. Investigators discovered that during the study
that lasted four years, subjects who followed the Mediterranean-style diet were able to
preserve lower blood glucose levels than the subjects adhering to the low-fat diet.
The 215 patients were randomly assigned to either diet. Those in the low-fat diet
were required to consume whole-grains, fruits, and vegetables along with low amounts
of fats and sweets - only 30% of their daily intake could be composed of fat and of that
no more than 10% could be saturated fat.
Subjects who followed the Mediterranean-style diet were also told to eat the same
quality of foods and to maintain the same maximum caloric intake of 1,800 calories/day
for men and 1,500 calories/day for women. The difference here though was that compared
to the low-fat diet group, the Mediterranean diet group was instructed to consume healthy
fats and to focus on lean proteins such as fish, poultry, and nuts. Also, this group was
limited to the amount of daily carbohydrate consumption - it could not exceed more than
half of their total daily calories.
The results showed that more than half of the patients on the Mediterranean diet were able
to control their glucose levels without taking medications (patients did not take medications
if A1c was <7%) compared to only one-third of those on the low fat diet.
Although this study showed that those on the Mediterranean diet lost a bit more weight
and had better cholesterol levels than those on the low-fat diet, it is still not known
whether type 2 diabetic patients should stop taking their medication. Regardless of
the studies outcomes it was not evident if the results were due to the diet alone.
Many physicians follow the American Diabetes Associations recommendations which
are to advise the patient to implement diet and exercise while prescribing an anti-
hyperglycemic also. They are aware though that many people dislike having to take medications
and feel that perhaps those patients might be the ones to be motivated to implement such
lifestyle modifications.