30% protein:20% carbohydrate:50 fat Diet controls Type 2 Diabetes

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Nutr Metab (Lond). 2006 Mar 23;3(1):16 [Epub ahead of print]

Control of blood glucose in type 2 diabetes without weight loss by

modification of diet composition.

Gannon MC, Nuttall FQ.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Over the past several years our research

group has taken a systematic, comprehensive approach to determining

the effects on body function (hormonal and non-hormonal) of varying

the amounts and types of proteins, carbohydrates and fats in the diet.

We have been particularly interested in the dietary management of type

2 diabetes. Our objective has been to develop a diet for people with

type 2 diabetes that does not require weight loss, oral agents, or

insulin, but that still controls the blood glucose concentration. Our

overall goal is to enable the person with type 2 diabetes to control

their blood glucose by adjustment in the composition rather than the

amount of food in their diet. METHODS: This paper is a brief summary

and review of our recent diet-related research, and the rationale used

in the development of diets that potentially are useful in the

treatment of diabetes. RESULTS: We determined that, of the

carbohydrates present in the diet, absorbed glucose is largely

responsible for the food-induced increase in blood glucose

concentration. We also determined that dietary protein increases

insulin secretion and lowers blood glucose. Fat does not significantly

affect blood glucose, but can affect insulin secretion and modify the

absorption of carbohydrates. Based on these data, we tested the

efficacy of diets with various protein:carbohydrate:fat ratios for 5

weeks on blood glucose control in people with untreated type 2

diabetes. The results were compared to those obtained in the same

subjects after 5 weeks on a control diet with a

protein:carbohydrate:fat ratio of 15:55:30. A 30:40:30 ratio diet

resulted in a moderate but significant decrease in 24-hour integrated

glucose area and % total glycohemoglobin (%tGHb). A 30:20:50 ratio

diet resulted in a 38% decrease in 24-hour glucose area, a reduction

in fasting glucose to near normal and a decrease in %tGHb from 9.8% to

7.6%. The response to a 30:30:40 ratio diet was similar. CONCLUSION:

Altering the diet composition could be a patient-empowering method of

improving the hyperglycemia of type 2 diabetes without weight loss or

pharmacologic intervention.

PMID: 16556307

Full paper free:

http://www.nutritionandmetabolism.com/content/pdf/1743-7075-3-16.pdf