Fiber May Benefit Diabetes Patients

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Fiber May Benefit Diabetes Patients

Recent American Diabetes Association (ADA) dietary guidelines for patients with diabetes mellitus recommend that dietary composition be based on individualized nutritional assessments and target individual desired outcomes. Among these recommendations is an increase in dietary fiber intake from 20 to 35 grams per day as a means of regulating cholesterol levels.

The effects of dietary fiber on glycemic control were considered inconsequential, and the ADA expert panel determined that it would be difficult for one to consume adequate dietary fiber unless food sources were supplemented or fortified with fiber. The present study determined the effects of increasing dietary fiber in type 2 diabetes patients solely through the consumption of foods not fortified with fiber, to a fiber level beyond that recommended by the ADA.

Thirteen patients were assigned to follow two diets for six weeks each: a diet containing moderate amounts of fiber (24 grams total - 8 grams soluble, 16 grams insoluble), and a diet containing high amounts of fiber (50 grams total - 25 grams soluble, 25 grams insoluble). Both diets contained identical macronutrients and energy content, and were compared with regard to their influence on glycemic control and plasma lipid concentrations.

High daily fiber intake improved glycemic control, evidenced by decreases in average daily preprandial and 24-hour plasma glucose concentrations. In addition, the high-fiber diet lowered urinary glucose excretion and 24-hour plasma insulin concentrations. The authors note that fiber intake was not achieved by consuming fiber-fortified foods and that patients reported few side effects from the high-fiber diet. They suggest that dietary guidelines for patients with diabetes include an overall increase in dietary fiber without relying on the use of fiber supplements.

Chandalia M, Garg A, Lutjohann D, et al. Beneficial effects of high dietary fiber intake in patients with type II diabetes. The New England Journal of Medicine, May 11, 2000:342, pp1392-98.