Effects of different diets on glycemic control among patients with type 2 diabetes: A literature review

Abstract

Background: Globally, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the most common diseases, and the incidence is gradually increasing. Diet management could improve the elevated HbA1c levels. Aim: This review aims to examine the effects of different types of diets on glycemic control in patients with T2DM. Methods: PubMed and Google scholar databases were searched. Reports published from the years 1991 to 2021 that focused on the effect of different diets on diabetes control were selected. Results: All the studies reported that the type of diet can affect insulin secretion and glycemic control in patients with diabetes. The recommended macronutrient distribution for patients with diabetes is 30% of fat, 45–60% of carbohydrates, and 15–35% of protein. Consuming more or less of these macronutrients may lead to changes in glucose metabolism and may affect insulin secretion. In fact, following alow-fat diet improves glycemic control and decreases HbA1c levels. Studies reported that a low-carbohydrate diet had the greatest effect on improving glycemic control and insulin parameters. A low-calorie diet reduced fasting plasma glucose, while a very low-calorie diet resulted in a long-term decrease in HbA1c level. A healthy diet free of processed foods and sugar, and rich in nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals contributed to maintaining controlled blood sugar and lipid plasma levels. Although studies show a low-salt diet improves blood pressure, which is common inT2DM, other findings show that restricting salt intake is associated with increased sugar consumption. Conclusion: Healthy diet with adequate intake of energy and low-fat and low-sugar foods can enhance the glycemic control and reduce T2DM complications.

High-fiber-diet-related metabolites improve neurodegenerative symptoms in patients with obesity with diabetes mellitus by modulating the hippocampal–hypothalamic endocrine axis

“…An increase in dietary fiber intake is associated with a reduced risk of obesity, and dietary fiber also plays a beneficial role in obesity-related metabolic diseases ( 26 , 27 ). High-fiber and low-glycaemic-index diets with conventional T2DM treatment can improve the disorder of glucolipid metabolism and have certain hypoglycaemic effects in elderly patients with T2DM ( 28 , 29 ). Consumption of whole grains may prevent the development of T2DM ( 30 , 31 ).…”

To do one and to get more: Part I. Diabetes and bone

“…Diabetes mellitus (DM), including type 1 DM (T1DM) and type 2 DM (T2DM), is a common but complex disease, associated with lots of comorbidities and a leading cause of mortality. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Risk factors associated with developing DM, especially T2DM accounting for >90% of all cases of DM worldwide, include elderly population, [9][10][11] family history (multiple genes), [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] overweight, 3,4,[17][18][19][20][21] obesity, 3,4,[17][18][19][20][21] pregnancy, such as the development of gestational DM, [21][22][23][24] dietary (calories intake, fibers, essential micronutrition, and mineral elements), [25][26][27][28][29] lifestyle factors (exercise, rest, and others), 3,4,[30][31][32]<...…”

“…9,10 Lifestyle modification, such as caloric restriction, body weight reduction (in part, through reducing extrinsic insulin resistance), regular and appropriate exercise, and others, is recommended as firstline therapy to manage prediabetes and DM. [21][22][23][24]27,28,[30][31][32]36 The major strength of lifestyle modification is based on its safety and potential effectiveness, which are considered as overt benefits to harms. [37][38][39] However, DM patients have a tendency to lower total adherence to healthy eating patterns or poorer consumption of major food groups (grains, fruits, vegetables, proteins, seeds, nuts, and dairy) 17,18,30,31 ; therefore, many DM patients still need further pharmacologic agent therapy (antidiabetic agents [ADAs], glucose-lowering drugs) to overcome the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of DM, such as inadequate and inappropriate secretion of insulin, defect and deficiency of insulin receptor, and malfunction about interaction of insulin and insulin receptor.…”

To Do One and To Get More: Part II. Diabetes and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver diseases

“…45–50 The critical and essential components of lifestyle medication include balanced food intake and caloric restriction with adequate nutrition support (grains, fruits, vegetables, proteins, seeds, nuts, and dairy), and an ideal body weight maintenance made by regular, appropriate, and tensely exercise. 51–55…”

“…[45][46][47][48][49][50] The critical and essential components of lifestyle medication include balanced food intake and caloric restriction with adequate nutrition support (grains, fruits, vegetables, proteins, seeds, nuts, and dairy), and an ideal body weight maintenance made by regular, appropriate, and tensely exercise. [51][52][53][54][55] A healthy lifestyle modification takes many advantages, not only for its safety and effectiveness for both pre-DM and DM, but also directly strengthening viability of all structures and organs in human beings, contributing to significant benefits. 1 However, the poorer adherence to healthy eating patterns or poorer consumption of major food groups are common in these pre-DM and DM populations, [56][57][58] contributing to the extra need of application of the other one strategy as prescription of ADA for these pre-DM and DM populations.…”