Changes in Nutrient Intake and Dietary Quality among Participants with Type 2 Diabetes Following a Low-Fat Vegan Diet or a Conventional Diabetes Diet for 22 Weeks

• Published in: Journal of the American Dietetic Association 2008-10, Vol.108 (10), p.1636-1645
• Main Authors: Turner-McGrievy, Gabrielle M., MS, RD, Barnard, Neal D., MD, Cohen, Joshua, MD, Jenkins, David J.A., MD, PhD, DSc, Gloede, Lise, RD, Green, Amber A., RD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 2003 American Diabetes Association dietary recommendations; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alternate Healthy Eating Index; ascorbic acid; Associations; beta-carotene; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Glucose - metabolism; blood serum; body weight changes; carbohydrate intake; cholesterol; Diabetes; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - diet therapy; Diabetes. Impaired glucose tolerance; Diet; Diet, Diabetic - standards; Diet, Reducing; Diet, Vegetarian; dietary fat; dietary fiber; dietary protein; dietary recommendations; Endocrine pancreas. Apud cells (diseases); Endocrinopathies; energy content; Etiopathogenesis. Screening. Investigations. Target tissue resistance; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Female; folic acid; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Glycated Hemoglobin A - analysis; glycemic control; Health Behavior; Humans; Internal Medicine; low fat diet; low-fat vegan diet; magnesium; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus; nutrient content; nutrient deficiencies; nutrient intake; nutrient requirements; Nutrients; nutritional adequacy; nutritional intervention; Nutritional Requirements; nutritional status; Nutritive Value; Patient Compliance; potassium; randomized clinical trials; Risk Factors; sodium; Statistics, Nonparametric; Treatment Outcome; vegetarian diet; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; vitamin A; vitamin B12; vitamin D; vitamin supplements; Weight Loss - physiology
• ISSN: 0002-8223; 2212-2672; 1878-3570; 2212-2680
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jada.2008.07.015

Abstract Background Although vegan diets improve diabetes management, little is known about the nutrient profiles or diet quality of individuals with type 2 diabetes who adopt a vegan diet. Objective To assess the changes in nutrient intake and dietary quality among participants following a low-fat vegan diet or the 2003 American Diabetes Association dietary recommendations. Design A 22-week randomized, controlled clinical trial examining changes in nutrient intake and diet quality. Subjects/setting Participants with type 2 diabetes (n=99) in a free-living setting. Research design and methods Participants were randomly assigned to a low-fat vegan diet or a 2003 American Diabetes Association recommended diet. Main outcome measures Nutrient intake and Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) scores were collected at baseline and 22 weeks. Statistical analyses performed Between-group t tests were calculated for changes between groups and paired comparison t tests were calculated for changes within-group. Pearson's correlation assessed relationship of AHEI score to hemoglobin A1c and body weight changes. Results Both groups reported significant decreases in energy, protein, fat, cholesterol, vitamin D, selenium, and sodium intakes. The vegan group also significantly reduced reported intakes of vitamin B-12 and calcium, and significantly increased carbohydrate, fiber, total vitamin A activity, beta carotene, vitamins K and C, folate, magnesium, and potassium. The American Diabetes Association recommended diet group also reported significant decreases in carbohydrate and iron, but reported no significant increases. The vegan group significantly improved its AHEI score ( P