Nutrition is a crucial aspect of diabetes management, and those who adopt it and make lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise and medication adjustments, can significantly improve their diabetes control. Science has also advanced the understanding of nutrition’s role in diabetes management, similar to how other aspects of diabetes management have evolved with new tools and technology.
Recent research indicates that remission of type 2 diabetes can be achieved through interventions like very low-calorie diets. A weight management program, including a 16-hour fasting period and a low-calorie diet, has shown promising results. The Diabetes Remission Outcome Protocol (DROP) used this intervention for 12 weeks, followed by nine months of low-calorie diet and exercise. A study found that almost half of participants experienced remission after one year, and nearly one in three remained remission at two years.
Keeping blood glucose in check is paramount when managing type 2 diabetes. Ensuring your glucose levels stay within a healthy range requires a multifaced approach to a healthy eating plan, exercise, and potential medication. Consuming carbohydrates along with protein and fiber can lower the glycemic index of a meal (a measure of how quickly a food causes your blood sugar levels to rise). Fat slows digestion, so foods that contain more fat convert carbs into glucose more slowly. As part of a balanced diet, people with diabetes should increase protein and fiber intake, while reducing carbohydrates (to approximately 500 calories per day), sodium and fats from meat.
Leading diabetes organizations recommend diabetes-specific nutritional formulas for effective diabetes control. These formulas can be meal or snack replacements, supplemental diets, or sole sources for severe cases. Incorporating these formulas into daily dietary plans helps individuals manage carbohydrate consumption, particularly in the Philippines, where diabetes is prevalent. A study found that Glucerna significantly impacts critical health markers in diabetes patients, reducing HbA1c levels and the risk of microvascular complications by up to 40%.
The study found that DSF significantly decreased fasting blood glucose levels, reduced fat mass, and reduced visceral adipose tissue, promoting healthier body composition among diabetic patients. It also reduced waist and hip circumferences linked to cardiovascular and metabolic health risks. DSF’s benefits extend to cardiovascular health, potentially lowering healthcare costs and mortality rates for diabetic patients. It also increases GLP-1 secretion and reduces insulin requirements, making it a promising adjunctive therapy in diabetes management.
Recognized as the #1 DSF worldwide and the most recommended brand by healthcare professionals in the U.S., Glucerna offers a scientifically formulated blend of 35 nutrients, including a new and improved carbohydrate system, a unique dual fiber blend, myo-inositol, enhanced micronutrients, and a heart-healthy lipid blend, to provide complete, balanced nutrition.
“Speaking with a healthcare professional can help individuals develop a nutrition plan customized to their needs and lifestyle, but nutrition recommendations can be hard to customize to specific cultures or lifestyles,” said Dr. Dimaano. “For this reason, Abbott and an international group of experts developed the transcultural Diabetes Nutrition Algorithm (or tDNA)—a global diabetes nutrition care model that translates nutrition recommendations based on cultural differences in diets and lifestyle to improve diabetes management and outcomes.”
Local experts have started to adapt tDNA in many regions and countries worldwide. A clinical trial in Malaysia studied the effect of implementing tDNA in the country and found that a lifestyle intervention program using tDNA helped adults with type 2 diabetes improve health outcomes and body weight.
Nutritional tools like tDNA, along with weight management programs that incorporate lifestyle modifications, can empower healthcare professionals and individuals with type 2 diabetes to manage their condition successfully.
