Mediterranean Diet and Postprandial Lipemia

Mediterranean vs. Low-Carbohydrate Diet : Which is the Best Dietary Approach for Treating Postprandial Lipid Abnormalities and Improving Glucose Control in Type 2 Diabetic Patients?

The aim of this intervention study was to evaluate in type 2 diabetic patients the effects on postprandial lipemia and other metabolic parameters (in both everyday life conditions and after a standard test meal) of two diets, one moderately rich in CHO, rich in fibre and with a low glycemic index (Mediterranean diet), and the other low in CHO and rich in MUFA (Low-CHO diet).Since adipose tissue, mainly through its lipolytic activities, is considered as having a pivotal role in the regulation of postprandial lipid metabolism, a further aim of our study was to clarify the role of adipose tissue in modulating the postprandial lipid response induced by the two dietary approaches by evaluating the activities of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Stable metabolic control (HbA1c<8.0%) on diet or diet alone or diet+metformin
• BMI<30 kg/m2 and body weight stable during the last six months.
• Both sexes; only post-menopausal women.
• Normal fasting lipid levels
• No use of hypolipidemic drugs

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient with renal (serum creatinine >1.5 mg/dl) or hepatic (serum transaminases >three times upper normal values) impairment.
• Patients with history of cardiovascular disease.
• Pre-menopausal women.
• Any other acute or chronic degenerative disease.
• Anemia (Hb<12 g/dl).
• Uncontrolled blood pressure.
• Use of any drugs able to interfere with the study medications