Comparison of different diet plans on patients with type 2 diabetes

Abstract Background Obesity and diabetes are interrelated growing problems worldwide. Life style modifications including nutritional intervention are considered the first line in management of diabetes. Materials and methods Our study included 81 type 2 diabetic patients, all treated with Metformin 500 mg twice daily, with Body mass index (BMI) more than 25 kg/m2. They were randomized to one of three dietary interventions; high protein diet (Zone diet), high fat diet (Modified Atkins) and conventional high carbohydrates diet with consideration of being on a caloric deficit diet of 500 kcal per day. Patients were assessed by: body mass index, waist circumference and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) method for assessment of body fat and muscle mass (FM, MM) before and after 12 weeks of following a dietary plan. Laboratory tests included: Hemoglobin A1c, C-reactive protein levels, lipid profile and insulin resistance before and after 12 weeks of following a dietary plan. Results Significant weight loss and reduction of BMI, reduction of waist circumference, significant fat mass reduction, significant muscle mass reduction, improvement of the insulin resistance, LDL and triglyceride reduction was achieved by the three dietary plans, with no significant difference between them. There was also significant improvement in HbA1c in all dietary plans; however Modified Atkins diet showed more significant improvement. Significant HDL improvement was seen with High carbohydrate diet and Modified Atkins diet, with more significant reduction with Modified Atkins diet, while Zone diet did not show significant improvement. CRP marker of inflammation showed significant improvement with High carbohydrate diet and Modified Atkins diet, while Zone diet did not show significant improvement. Conclusion All three dietary plans show benefit and improve the anthropometric and metabolic outcomes of type 2 diabetic patients. Modified Atkins diet showed superior benefit as regards improvement of HbA1c, HDL and CRP in comparison to the other dietary plans.