Abstract

The blood glucose level of people with diabetes can be normalized through an appropriate diet, physical activity, the use of chemical drugs and medicinal plants. This study aims to investigate the effects of low-calorie diets (1200, 1500, and 1800 kcal) on glucose and serum lipids in poorly controlled type 2 diabetic patients. This clinical trial was conducted among 60 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The criteria for entering the study were fasting blood glucose higher than 130 mg/dl, hemoglobin A₁C higher than 7% and BMI higher than 25. Blood glucose, fasting blood glucose and lipid levels were measured before and after intervention two hours after each meal. Patients were trained by an expert. Then, the questionnaires were completed and analyzed. In this study, the mean fasting blood glucose level in patients who used 1500 and 1200 kcal diet decreased significantly after intervention (p<0.05). Glucose decreased significantly after two hours using a 1500  kcal diet (p<0.009). In addition, triglyceride and cholesterol levels were significantly reduced in patients who used the 1500 kcal diet (p<0.05). Although, there was no significant difference in blood glucose levels between 1200, 1500 and 1800 kcal diets based on gender, residencency and BMI. Regarding the fact that there was no significant difference in reducing blood glucose and serum lipids between 1200 and 1500 kcal diets. It is recommended to use a 1500 kcal diet instead of 1200 kcal diet, which imposes fewer limitations and is easier to tolerate.

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