Authors:
H Harder, B Dinesen and A Astrup, Department of Human Nutrition, University of Copenhagen
Publication:
International Journal of Obesity (2004) 28, 180-182
Patient group:
11 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, four of them treated with oral medication (tablets discontinued 2 weeks before and during the LCD regimen). Participants included eight women and three men. Average BMI was 36.8 ± 5.5 kg/m2 and average age was 62 ± 5.7 years.
Background:
Obesity is of central importance in the clinical picture of type 2 diabetics. Type 2 diabetes is also associated with high triglycerides and LDL levels, as well as low HDL cholesterol, which likely contributes to the very high risk of cardiovascular disease in this group.
Treatment:
Eight weeks of pure LCD treatment (850 kcal per day). Weight and blood glucose were checked on nine occasions during the treatment period.
Results and discussion:
Ten patients completed treatment. Average weight loss after eight weeks was 10.9 kg, corresponding to about 11% of starting weight (p<0.001). Two of the patients previously treated with oral medications did not have to resume this treatment after losing weight.
The patients also noted improved cholesterol as a result of their weight loss. Total cholesterol fell an average of 20% (p<0.001), LDL cholesterol by 17% (p<0.05) and fasting triglycerides by 39% (p<0.05).
The results of weight loss and improved glycemic control, etc., achieved with the study's LCD treatment are completely consistent with previous studies with a much more restrictive VLCD treatment, though safety for diets below 800 kcal may be questioned.
Conclusion:
Short-term treatment with LCD is highly effective for improving glycemic control and helping to improve lipid levels by achieving weight loss in overweight type 2 diabetics.