title: Are calcium and fiber beneficial for poorly controlled diabetic patients?
abstract: No nutritional protocol for poorly controlled diabetic patients receiving well-managed drug treatment is currently available.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Aims were to compare dietary consumption of calcium and fibers with lipid profile and glycosilated hemoglobin HbA1c.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective observational study. Patients with poorly controlled diabetes were consecutively recruited. A food-frequency questionnaire and tests for lipid profile, HbA1c, and C reactive protein were collected, along with clinical and anthropometric assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients (N = 114, age 65.7 ± 6.5 years, 75.4% females, BMI 29.0 ± 5.3 kg/m²) were often insulin-dependent (32.5%) and with systemic inflammation (C-reactive protein 4.2 ± 3.9 mg/L). Diet was energy restricted (1,365 ± 565 kcal/day) and mostly adequate but with suboptimal fiber (15.4 ± 8.6 g/day) and very low calcium (592.4 ± 204.4 mg/day). Calcium and fiber in the diet correlated with serum lipids, whereas fiber alone displayed a protective association regarding diabetes (HBA1c, insulin use) and arterial hypertension.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Calcium and fiber ingestion exhibited correlations with important markers of metabolic status and cardiovascular risk. Future studies should address enhancement of these ingredients by means of dietary changes and supplements.
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil.
authors.forename: D A R
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Matos
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Filizzola
authors.forename: M J C
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Diniz
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Faintuch
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000188:drug therapy; D004032:Diet; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids