by Colin Kenny, GP, Dromore
There is reasonable epidemiological evidence to suggest that low-carbohydrate Mediterranean diets (LCMDs) are beneficial in both the metabolic syndrome and diabetes. Now, a randomised controlled trial has shown that such a diet is superior to a low fat-diet.
Italian investigators carried out a two-arm trial where overweight, middle-aged men and women with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes were randomised to an LCMD or a low-fat diet, and the groups were followed up for an average of 8.1 and 6.1 years, respectively. The Mediterranean dieters ate lots of vegetables and whole grains, replaced most red meat with poultry and fish, and had monthly sessions with nutritionists.
The primary endpoint of the study was an assessment of the long-term effects of these dual dietary interventions on glycaemic control, the need for diabetes medications, and remission of type 2 diabetes. The people on the LCDM took on average 2 years longer to meet these endpoints than people on a low-fat diet. The authors concluded that in people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes, an LCMD resulted in a greater reduction of HbA1c levels, higher rate of diabetes remission, and delayed need for diabetes medication compared with a low-fat diet. It would be interesting to see if this type of diet can transfer from Naples to the UK.
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