Effect of long-term intake of Asian food with different glycemic indices on diabetic control and protein conservation in type 2 diabetic patients.

The study was carried out in 10 females with type 2 diabetes aged 32-60 yrs. All of them were receiving weight-maintaining diets composed of 12 per cent protein, 30 per cent fat and 58 per cent carbohydrate. The only difference among all study-diets was the types of complex carbohydrate used. High-glycemic diet (HG) or low glycemic diet (LG) consisted mainly of glutinous rice or mungbean noodles and the intermediate-glycemic diet (DM) was solely white rice. After the metabolic evaluation of the baseline diet (BL), each subject was placed on DM and followed randomly by HG and LG or vice versa for 4 weeks each. The diurnal plasma glucose levels tended to be lowest after LG. The integrated plasma glucose levels among all diets were not different. The integrated insulin levels after DM and LG did not differ but they were lower than HG and BL. Long-term ingestion of all test-diets spilt less urinary glucose than BL, the lowest was LG. HbA1 levels and nitrogen balance after all diets were better than BL, the best was LG. It was concluded that in addition to strict dietary control, ingestion of mungbean noodles (a low glycemic diet) without increasing fiber intake, can improve diabetic control and protein conservation in type 2 diabetes.

Possible thermogenesis with dexfenfluramine.

Fifty obese patients with a body mass index greater than 25 kg/m2 were randomized into 3 groups: control (C = 19), placebo (P = 18) and dexfenfluramine (D = 18). A behavioral modification program which included eating habits, exercise, attitudes, social relationships and six steps to lifetime weight control was taught every week. All patients strictly followed the food manual and recorded their behavior, physical activity and food intake every day through 12 weeks. Placebo and dexfenfluramine 30 mg/day were given in a double blind placebo controlled study. The results showed that all 3 groups had significant decreases in rest times and increased activity times (p < 0.05) and significant reductions of the average total daily energy, carbohydrate and fat intake (p < 0.05). They all lost weight. Mean +/- SEM cumulative weight loss was 8.3 +/- 0.7 kg in group D, 3.3 +/- 1 kg, in group P and 2.9 +/- 0.7 kg, in group C. The mean additional weight loss of 5 kg, and 5.4 kg seen with dexfenfluramine being highly significant (p < 0.001) from group P and C most likely due to increased thermogenesis. Significant (p < 0.05) and gradual reduction of biceps, triceps skinfold and per cent body fat were constantly observed only in the dexfenfluramine group. There were no significant differences among the 3 groups regarding blood pressure, heart rate, hematologic, lipids and biochemical profiles.

Behavior modification in the treatment of obesity: acceptability profiles.

Seventy obese subjects, after receiving an 8-week group therapy program of behavior modification, showed that they had lost weight from fat tissue. There were significant decreases of per cent body fat, biceps, subscapular and iliac skinfold thickness while maintaining arm muscle area. There were significant decreases of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure during the program. The acceptability profiles of heart rate, liver and renal function test, fasting blood sugar, uric acid, serum iron, total iron binding capacity, minerals, electrolytes, hematological and lipid profiles were within normal limits before and after the treatment. The obese subjects rated the behavior modification program as more effective and indicated helpfulness of concepts, information and techniques of the program.

Behavior modification in the treatment of obesity.

Seventy obese subjects with a body mass index greater than 25 kg/m2 received a behavioral modification and a daily log self management program for weight loss during an 8-wk treatment period. The program included eating habits, exercise, attitudes, social relationships and nutrition. The results indicated that after 8 wks, cumulative weight loss (mean +/- SEM) was 4.3 +/- 0.4 kgs. The decrease in their body weight was due to the loss of their fat store evidenced by the significant decrease in triceps skinfold thickness. (P < 0.0001) The subjects showed significant decrease in total calories, carbohydrate and fat after 4 wks (P < 0.001, 0.001, and 0.008) through 8 wks (P < 0.007, 0.013 and 0.015). The activities in daily life changed significantly from rest level to light exercise level (P < 0.001). It was concluded that behavior modification program for short term showed improved eating habits and daily exercise. But we need time in order to identify variables responsible for maintenance of weight loss over the long term.