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The effect of long-term high-fibre diets in diabetic outpatients


M. S. Rosman
C.J. Smith
W.P.U. Jackson

Abstract

Diets containing large amounts of dietary fibre have been shown to be beneficial in improving diabetic control. We -investigated the practical aspects of administering a high-fibre diet to diabetic outpatients in Cape Town, using readily available, lowcost foodstuffs with a high dietary fibre content. Ten patients were followed up over a period of 9 months, for 3 months of which a high-fibre diet was prescribed. Although only 3 patients approached the projected dietary fibre intake, significant negative correlations were found between the mean plasma glucose changes and the dietary fibre increments (r = -0,704; P < 0,05) and between the mean serum triglyceride changes and the dietary fibre increments (r =-0,741; P < 0,05). These findings suggest that, were it not for poor dietary compliance, a high-fibre diet might result in significant improvement in diabetic control, and that education and motivation are of prime importance when making major changes to patients eating habits.


Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 2078-5135
print ISSN: 0256-9574