In a first long-term study, researchers examined the effects of a Mediterranean diet, compared to a low fat diet for diabetes control. The results showed that eating a Mediterranean diet was superior to eating a typical low fat diet for diabetes management.
The study explored obese individuals newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, examining need for medication and weight loss, and whether eating a Mediterranean diet is effective, safe and sustainable for diabetes treatment.
Over a four-year period, 215 overweight diabetics were assigned to eat either a low carbohydrate Mediterranean type diet, or a typical low fat diet. Both groups received nutritional counseling at the start of the study, and bi-monthly for the next three years.
Diabetics lost weight on the Mediterranean diet, decreased some markers for heart disease, and fewer of the study participants required medications to control blood sugar.
Compared to those eating a low fat diet, only forty four percent of the group given a Mediterranean diet required diabetes medication, compared to seventy percent of diabetics give a low fat diet.
The study authors concluded that a Mediterranean diet seems to be preferable to a low fat diet for controlling blood sugars, and delaying the need for medication to control blood sugar in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetics. A caution of the study, is that diabetic food intake was self-reported. The study adds to the list of health benefits associated with consuming a Mediterranean diet.
Diet the key to disease prevention
A healthy Mediterranean diet could greatly reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, certain cancers and diabetes, according to the Director of UniSAs Sansom Institute for Health Research. More info at http://www.unisa.edu.au/news/2009/090609.asp
The study explored obese individuals newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, examining need for medication and weight loss, and whether eating a Mediterranean diet is effective, safe and sustainable for diabetes treatment.
Over a four-year period, 215 overweight diabetics were assigned to eat either a low carbohydrate Mediterranean type diet, or a typical low fat diet. Both groups received nutritional counseling at the start of the study, and bi-monthly for the next three years.
Diabetics lost weight on the Mediterranean diet, decreased some markers for heart disease, and fewer of the study participants required medications to control blood sugar.
Compared to those eating a low fat diet, only forty four percent of the group given a Mediterranean diet required diabetes medication, compared to seventy percent of diabetics give a low fat diet.
The study authors concluded that a Mediterranean diet seems to be preferable to a low fat diet for controlling blood sugars, and delaying the need for medication to control blood sugar in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetics. A caution of the study, is that diabetic food intake was self-reported. The study adds to the list of health benefits associated with consuming a Mediterranean diet.
Diet the key to disease prevention
A healthy Mediterranean diet could greatly reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, certain cancers and diabetes, according to the Director of UniSAs Sansom Institute for Health Research. More info at http://www.unisa.edu.au/news/2009/090609.asp
Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-14041-Charlotte-Health-and-Happiness-Examiner~y2009m8d31-Mediterranean-diet-beats-low-fat-for-diabetes
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