Effects of intermittent very‐low calorie diet on glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factors in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Aims/Introduction: Very few studies assess the effectiveness of different protocols of intermittent very-low calorie diet (VLCD) in patients with diabetes. This study was designed to compare the effects of 2 days/week and 4 days/week of intermittent VLCD on glycemic control, diabetes remission, metabolic parameters and quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity. Materials and Methods: Participants with obesity and type 2 diabetes were recruited and randomly assigned to three groups, consisting of control, 2 days/week and 4 days/ week of intermittent VLCD. In the intermittent VLCD groups, participants received a 600kcal diet per day on restricted days and ad libitum food consumption on non-restricted days. Glycemic control, rate of diabetes remission, metabolic parameters and quality of life were evaluated at baseline, weeks 2, 10 and 20. Results: A total of 40 participants were enrolled. The mean body mass index was 30.1 -5.9 kg/m 2 , and the mean glycated hemoglobin was 7.4 -1.2%. At week 20, there was an improvement in glycemic control in both intermittent VLCD groups with significant decreases in glycated hemoglobin levels and insulin resistance index throughout the study periods. Diabetes remission without the need for medications was equally found in 29% of participants in both intermittent VLCD groups. Serum triglyceride, bodyweight, body mass index and fat mass were also significantly decreased in both VLCD groups. No serious adverse events were encountered. Conclusion: Intermittent VLCD was highly effective in achieving optimal glycemic control. The effects of 2 days/week and 4 days/week of intermittent VLCD on diabetes remission were relatively similar.

Improving type 2 diabetes mellitus management in Ministry of Defense Hospitals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 2018–2021

“…It is a well-known fact that high levels of blood glucose increase the hazard of DM complications and associated mortality, and the opposite is true for reduced risk. 10 A handful of studies from KSA demonstrated poor glycaemic control in three-fourths of the patients with type 2 DM. 11 12 However, one of the possible solutions to this looming problem is the deployment and active surveillance of a comprehensive diabetes management plan to improve the quality of patient care which involves physicians and patients.…”

“…Glycaemic control is the bulwark to many complications of type 2 DM. It is a well-known fact that high levels of blood glucose increase the hazard of DM complications and associated mortality, and the opposite is true for reduced risk 10. A handful of studies from KSA demonstrated poor glycaemic control in three-fourths of the patients with type 2 DM 11 12.…”

Dietas restritivas na Diabetes mellitus tipo 2: remissão e controle glicêmico

“…A dieta intermitente de muito baixa caloria é uma estratégia diferenciada, utilizada em pacientes com diabetes. O estudo de Umphonsathien et al (2022) Acerca da remissão da DM2 após mudanças de hábito a longo prazo, foi realizado um coorte prospectivo com 867 pacientes com idade entre 40 e 69 anos, submetidos à avaliações de mudança de peso, atividades físicas, dieta e consumo de álcool, durante 5 anos. Remissão completa da diabetes foi alcançada por 257 participantes (30%).…”

Diet and exercise are a fundamental part of comprehensive care for type 2 diabetes

“…There are also several eating patterns that have been proposed for individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. These include the Mediterranean diet, low‐carbohydrate diet, fiber‐rich diet, intermittent very‐low‐calorie diet, and vegetarian or plant‐based diet (Table 1) 7–16 . Some of these eating patterns have also been associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus in healthy individuals 8,10 .…”