title: Low-glycemic index foods improve long-term glycemic control in NIDDM.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare high- and low-glycemic index (GI) diets in the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen subjects with well-controlled NIDDM and normal lipid profile, 10 of whom continued oral hypoglycemic medication, participated in the study. A diet that emphasized low-GI foods (e.g., porridge, pasta) was compared with a high-GI diet (e.g., processed cereals, potatoes). The GI of the low-GI diet was 15% lower than the high-GI diet (77 +/- 3 vs. 91 +/- 1) but otherwise similar in macronutrient composition and fiber, as determined by a 4-day weighed record. The diets were instituted under instruction from a dietitian who visited subjects at home on a weekly basis. Body weight was maintained within 1-2 kg.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Glycemic control was improved on the low-GI diet compared with the high-GI diet (statistically significant findings, P less than 0.05). Mean glycosylated hemoglobin at the end of the low-GI diet was 11% lower (7.0 +/- 0.3%) than at the end of the high-GI diet (7.9 +/- 0.5%), and the 8-h plasma glucose profile was lower (area under the curve above fasting 128 +/- 23 vs. 148 +/- 22 mmol.h-1.L-1, respectively). Mean fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol triglycerides, and lipoproteins did not show important differences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A low-GI diet gives a modest improvement in long-term glycemic control but not plasma lipids in normolipidemic well-controlled subjects with NIDDM.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Brand
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Colagiuri
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Crossman
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Truswell
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D002096:C-Peptide / Q000097:blood; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy; D003927:Diet, Diabetic; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D002096:C-Peptide; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D008074:Lipoproteins; D014280:Triglycerides