One-year comparison of a high-monounsaturated fat diet with a high-carbohydrate diet in type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effects of high monounsaturated fat (MUFA) and high carbohydrate (CHO) diets on body weight and glycemic control in men and women with type 2 diabetes.

Research Design and Methods: Overweight/obese participants with type 2 diabetes (N = 124; age = 56.5 ± 0.8 years; BMI = 35.9 ± 0.3; A1C = 7.3 ± 0.1%) were randomly assigned to one year of a high-MUFA or high-CHO diet. Anthropometric and metabolic parameters were assessed at baseline and after 4, 8, and 12 months of dieting.

Results: Baseline characteristics were similar between treatment groups. The overall retention rate for one year was 77% (69% for high-MUFA group; 84% for high-CHO group, p = 0.06). Based on food records, both groups had similar energy intake, but a significant difference in MUFA intake. Both groups had similar weight loss over one year (−4.0 ± 0.8 kg vs. −3.8 ± 0.6 kg) and comparable improvement in body fat, waist circumference, diastolic blood pressure, HDL-cholesterol, A1C, and fasting glucose and insulin. There were no differences in these parameters between the groups. A follow-up assessment of a subset of participants (n = 36) was conducted 18 months after completion of the 52-week diet. These participants maintained their weight loss and A1C during the follow-up period.

Conclusions: In persons with type 2 diabetes, high-MUFA diets are an alternative to conventional lower-fat, high-CHO diets with comparable beneficial effects on body weight, body composition, cardiovascular risk factors, and glycemic control.