Journal Name:
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Article Title:
Diets high and low in glycemic index versus high monounsaturated fat diets: effects on glucose and lipid metabolism in NIDDM

Date Written:
1999

Volume:
53

Number:

Page:
473

Author(s):
Luscombe, ND; Noakes, M.; Clifton, PM

Article:
Diabetes Mellitus is a result of a variety of genetic, metabolic, and acquired conditions that affects millions of people. Pivotal to the management of all persons with diabetes is the maintenance of serum lipid levels, as excessive fat intake contributes to obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. However, a growing body of evidence indicates that diabetic diets should focus more on modifying the type of fat and carbohydrates and in particular should be low glycemic. The objective of this research was to examine the effects of high and low glycemic index (GI) carbohydrates, and mono-unsaturated fats on blood glucose and lipid metabolism in NIDDM subjects.

Fourteen male and seven female NIDDM subjects each consumed three diets: (a) a high-GI diet (53% CHO -21% fat, 63 GI units (glucose=100)); (b) a low-GI diet (51% CHO -23% fat, 43 GI units); and (c) a high-mono high-GI diet (42% CHO-35% fat, 59 GI units) in random order and cross-over fashion for four weeks. Approximately 45% energy was provided as key foods which differed in published GI values and specifically excluded legumes. Dietary fibre intake was >30 g? d on each diet. At the end of each dietary intervention, fasting plasma lipids, glucose, insulin, total glycated plasma protein, fructosamine, LDL and HDL particle size as well as 24 h urinary excretion of glucose and C-peptide was measured.

The results demonstrated higher HDL-cholesterol on the low-GI and high-mono high-GI diets compared to the high-GI diet. There were no other significant differences in metabolic control between diets, even when adjusted for BMI, glucose control or gender. Body weight and saturated fat intake remained stable between dietary interventions.

From the data, high-mono high-GI and high-CHO, low-GI diets appear to be superior to high-CHO, high-GI diets with respect to HDL metabolism but no effect was noted on glucose metabolism in variably controlled NIDDM subjects., , ,

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