Dietary Therapy and Insulin Secretory Response to Glucose in Adult-Onset Non-Obese Diabetic Subjects

Abstract

The effect of a 4-wk diet regulation on non-obese, adult-onset diabetics was studied. The prescribed diet was composed of 60% carbohydrate, 15-20% protein and 20-25% fat. The total caloric intake was restricted to 30, 35 and 40 cal/kg ideal body weight depending on their physical activity. In the group whose calculated diet showed over 10% reduction in total caloric intake and carbohydrate intake, fasting glucose was decreased and glucose tolerance was improved significantly after the 4-wk dietary therapy. Insulin response to oral glucose loading was improved, particularly in the later stage of the oral glucose tolerance test. Insulin area, i.e. the total area under the insulin curve was increased to almost 2 .times.. The sensitivity to insulin did not show any significant changes after diet regulation. The therapeutic effect of the diet restriction is partly ascribed to the increased insulin secretion. In the treatment of diabetics, a restricted diet is essential and beneficial from the point of view that it could improve pancreatic .beta.-cell function.