Comparative effect of two Mediterranean diets versus a low-fat diet on glycaemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes

• Published in: European journal of clinical nutrition Vol. 68; no. 7; pp. 767 - 772
• Main Authors: LASA, A, MIRANDA, J, BULLO, M, CASAS, R, SALAS-SALVADO, J, LARRETXI, I, ESTRUCH, R, RUIZ-GUTIEREZ, V, PORTILLO, M. P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basingstoke Nature Publishing Group 01.07.2014
• Subjects: Adipokines - blood; Adiponectin; Adiponectin - blood; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Glucose - metabolism; Body mass; Body Mass Index; Body size; Body weight; Comparative studies; Diabetes; Diabetes mellitus (non-insulin dependent); Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - complications; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - diet therapy; Diabetes. Impaired glucose tolerance; Diet; Diet, Fat-Restricted; Diet, Mediterranean; Dietary Fats - administration & dosage; Endocrine pancreas. Apud cells (diseases); Endocrinopathies; Etiopathogenesis. Screening. Investigations. Target tissue resistance; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Glucose metabolism; Glycemic index; Health aspects; Humans; Insulin; Insulin Resistance; Intervention; Leptin; Leptin - blood; Low fat diet; Male; Medical sciences; Metabolic diseases; Middle Aged; Nutrient deficiency; Nuts; Obesity - blood; Obesity - complications; Obesity - diet therapy; Olive Oil; Physiological aspects; Plant Oils; Type 2 diabetes; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Waist Circumference; Weight control; Weight Loss; Spain; Endocrinopathy; Type 2 diabetes; Human; Mediterranean diet; Low fat diet; Metabolic diseases; glycaemic control; low-fat diet; Comparative study; Glycemia
• ISSN: 0954-3007; 1476-5640
• DOI: 10.1038/ejcn.2014.1

Although benefits have been attributed to the Mediterranean diet, its effect on glycaemic control has not been totally elucidated. The aim of this work was to compare the effect of two Mediterranean diets versus a low-fat diet on several parameters and indices related to glycaemic control in type 2 diabetic subjects. A multicentric parallel trial was conducted on 191 participants (77 men and 114 women) of the PREDIMED study in order to compare three dietary interventions: two Mediterranean diets supplemented with virgin olive oil (n=67; body mass index (BMI)=29.4±2.9) or mixed nuts (n=74; BMI=30.1±3.1) and a low-fat diet (n=50; BMI=29.8±2.8). There were no drop-outs. Changes in body weight and waist circumference were determined. Insulin resistance was measured by HOMA-IR index, adiponectin/leptin and adiponectin/HOMA-R ratios after 1 year of follow-up. Increased values of adiponectin/leptin ratio (P=0.043, P=0.001 and P<0.001 for low-fat, olive oil and nut diets, respectively) and adiponectin/HOMA-IR ratio (P=0.061, P=0.027 and P=0.069 for low-fat, olive oil and nut diets, respectively) and decreased values of waist circumference (P=0.003, P=0.001 and P=0.001 for low-fat, olive oil and nut diets, respectively) were observed in the three groups. In both Mediterranean diet groups, but not in the low-fat diet group, this was associated with a significant reduction in body weight (P=0.347, P=0.003 and P=0.021 for low-fat, olive oil and nut diets, respectively). Mediterranean diets supplemented with virgin olive oil or nuts reduced total body weight and improved glucose metabolism to the same extent as the usually recommended low-fat diet.