The Mediterranean Diet is a hot topic these days - showing benefits for diabetes, high blood pressure, and Alzheimers. This study looked at how a Mediterranean diet might delay diabetes medication for those newly diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.
Study Summary
215 patients with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to two different diets which they followed for 4 years. One group followed a Low Fat diet - no more than 30% fat and less than 10 % saturated fat. This is the traditional recommendation of the American Heart Association. The second group followed a Mediterranean Diet, with no less than 30% fat , with most of that coming from olive oil.
Results
Only 44% of the Mediterranean group needed medication at the end of the trial compared to 70% for the Low Fat diet group. BIG DIFFERENCE!!!
Both groups lowered blood sugars but the Mediterranean diet group had lower A1c (average blood sugar)levels, and better HDL (Healthy Cholesterol) and triglyceride levels compared to Low Fat group.
Source: September 2009 Annals of Internal Medicine
How Can You Apply this Information to Your Life?
Are you newly diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes?
How can you start today eating more like a Mediterranean? . . . . Start by using olive oil more often to replace other butter, margarine or vegetable oils. At the same time you can eat more vegetables by sauteing them in a little olive oil.
And don't forget to subscribe to my blog for more upcoming information on the Mediterranean diet, weight loss and diabetes . . . and recipes!
Benefit of Dietitian Counseling
All participants in the study also had dietitian counseling monthly for first year and then every 2 months for last 3 years. Before the study 155 had high A1c's but after only 3 months only 22 participants had high A1c's and after 6 months, noneof the participants had high A1c's.
Could you benefit from similar help through a phone or online program? Contact me for a free introductory consult and information regarding my programs. My nutrition programs are personalized to your needs and address 10 different nutrition strategies that work together to beat diabetes.
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