title: The use of low-glycaemic index diets in diabetes control.
abstract: The aim of diabetes management is to normalise blood glucose levels since improved blood glucose control is associated with fewer complications. Food affects blood glucose levels; however, there is no universal approach to the optimal diabetic diet and there is controversy about the usefulness of the low-glycaemic index (GI) diet. To assess the effects of low-GI diets on glycaemic control in diabetes, we conducted electronic searches of the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL. We assessed randomised controlled trials (RCT) with interventions >4 weeks that compared a low-GI diet with a higher-GI diet for type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Twelve RCT (n 612) were identified. There was a significant decrease in glycated Hb (HbA1c) with low-GI diet than with the control diet, indicating improved glycaemic control (seven trials, n 457, weighted mean difference (WMD) - 0.4 % HbA1c, 95% CI - 0.7, - 0.20, P = 0.001). In four studies reporting the results for glycaemic control as fructosamine, three of which were 6 weeks or less in duration, pooled data showed a decrease in fructosamine (WMD - 0.23 mmol/l, 95% CI - 0.47, 0.00, P = 0.05), n 141, with low-GI diet than with high-GI diet. Glycosylated albumin levels decreased significantly with low-GI diet, but not with high-GI diet, in one study that reported this outcome. Lowering the GI of the diet may contribute to improved glycaemic control in diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Evidence Based Paediatrics Gastroenterology and Nutrition (CEBPGAN), Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, c/o Research Building, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Locked Bag 4001, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia. dianat@chw.edu.au
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Elliott
mesh_terms: D000418:Albumins / Q000378:metabolism; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D019270:Fructosamine / Q000097:blood; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D038321:Glycemic Index; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins; D001786:Blood Glucose; D019270:Fructosamine; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin