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