A practical “low-carbohydrate dietary care” model for elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complex, multisystem disease, affecting large populations worldwide. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex polygenic disease that causes hyperglycemia and accounts for 90-95% of all diabetes mellitus cases. We conducted a randomized, controlled single-blind study to observe how dietary care with restriction of carbohydrate absorption affects glucose and lipid metabolism in elderly patients with T2DM. Participants in the control group (Group C) received usual care and in the experimental group (Group E) white common bean extract (WCBE) was given before meals. The trial was divided into two periods: intensive and maintenance intervention periods. Glucose and lipid metabolic parameters of both groups were monitored over the study period. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in Group E was lower than in Group C at the end of the 2- and 4-month, and significantly decline from baseline. The area under curve of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) glucose after 2- and 4-month intervention than baseline in Group E and were all significantly lower than in Group C after the intervention. Both High-density lipoprotein (HDL) and Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) also improved in group E (P < 0.05). In the clinical management of elderly patients with T2DM, this individualized model of care without restricting carbohydrate intake can effectively improve patients' glucose metabolism. The effect of this care model is similar to that of a low-carbohydrate diet care model. Therefore, this regimen could be a novel antidiabetic approach for patients with T2DM who are unwilling to restrict their carbohydrate intake.