Diet, nutrition and the prevention of type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Objectives: The overall objective of this study was to evaluate and provide evidence and recommendations on current published literature about diet and lifestyle in the prevention of type 2 diabetes. Design: Epidemiological and experimental studies, focusing on nutritional intervention in the prevention of type 2 diabetes are used to make disease-specific recommendations. Long-term cohort studies are given the most weight as to strength of evidence available. Setting and subjects: Numerous clinical trials and cohort studies in low, middle and high income countries are evaluated regarding recommendations for dietary prevention of type 2 diabetes. These include, among others, the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study, US Diabetes Prevention Program, Da Qing Study; Pima Indian Study; Iowa Women's Health Study; and the study of the US Male Physicians. Results: There is convincing evidence for a decreased risk of diabetes in adults who are physically active and maintain a normal body mass index (BMI) throughout adulthood, and in overweight adults with impaired glucose tolerance who lose weight voluntarily. An increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes is associated with overweight and obesity; abdominal obesity; physical inactivity; and maternal diabetes. It is probable that a high intake of saturated fats and intrauterine growth retardation also contribute to an increased risk, while non-starch polysaccharides are likely to be associated with a decreased risk. From existing evidence it is also possible that omega-3 fatty acids, low glycaemic index foods and exclusive breastfeeding may play a protective role, and that total fat intake and trans fatty acids may contribute to the risk. However, insufficient evidence is currently available to provide convincing proof. Conclusions: Based on the strength of available evidence regarding diet and lifestyle in the prevention of type 2 diabetes, it is recommended that a normal weight status in the lower BMI range (BMI 21 -23) and regular physical activity be maintained throughout adulthood; abdominal obesity be prevented; and saturated fat intake be less than 7% of the total energy intake.

Coffee consumption, serum γ-glutamyltransferase and risk of type II diabetes

“…Thus, rather than having underestimated the absolute number of diabetic cases in this cohort, we might have had a delayed date of diagnosis for some cases. Finally, we cannot completely exclude either the effects of residual confounding owing to measurement error in the assessment of confounding factors, or some unmeasured factors including coffee additives (sugar and/or milk) and several dietary factors (such as intake of whole grain, intake of fiber, magnesium, calcium, sodium, saturated and polyunsaturated fat, glycaemic load of the diet and total energy intake) (Steyn et al, 2004;Hu et al, 2005).…”

Urinary sodium and potassium excretion and the risk of type 2 diabetes: a prospective study in Finland

“…Sedentary lifestyle, obesity and ageing are the common risk factors for both hypertension and type 2 diabetes [4][5][6][7]. Several dietary factors have also been associated with insulin sensitivity, glucose metabolism and risk of hypertension and type 2 diabetes [8,9].…”

Full Issue PDF

“…Those who follow a Western pattern may ingest excess calories and have sedentary lifestyles, which are associated with a number of adverse health conditions, such as diabetes, that contribute to cognitive impairment (101)(102)(103)(104)(105). On the other hand, those following a "prudent" diet often have a number of dietary and lifestyle patterns that may lower disease risk, making the attribution of risk to a specific food, nutrient, food group, or combination of nutrients difficult.…”