DASH diet may decrease visceral, subcutaneous, and hepatic lipid levels in those with type 2 diabetes: Study

A new study published in the journal of Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism found that adhering to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet decreased visceral, subcutaneous, and hepatic lipid levels in those with type 2 diabetes.

DASH diet is a nutritious eating plan created to assist in the management or prevention of hypertension. It may also aid in lowering low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol which is associated with heart disease. Major risk factors for heart disease and stroke include excessive blood pressure and high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The DASH diet is high in foods that are high in magnesium, calcium, and potassium which emphasizes the intake of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, fish, chicken, legumes, nuts, and low-fat or fat-free dairy products. Therefore, Edyta Schaefer and colleagues looked into the relationship between the DASH score and the volume of subcutaneous (SAT), visceral (VAT), and hepatic lipid content (HLC) in individuals with diabetes.

A total of 111 patients were included in the study of changes during the 5-year follow-up and 335 individuals with recent-onset type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) from the German Diabetes Study were involved in the cross-sectional analysis. Multivariable linear regression models per type of diabetes were employed to examine correlations between the VAT and DASH score, SAT, HLC, and their variations. Mediation analysis was used to evaluate the fraction mediated by changes in possible mediators.

In T2D patients, a higher baseline DASH score was linked to a lower HLC and a 5-point rise in the DASH score was linked to a 5-year drop in VAT. Comparable but imprecise correlations were observed between VAT increases and HLC changes in individuals with T1D and T2D, respectively. Changes in waist circumference and body mass index accounted for 8% to 48% of the correlations between changes in VAT and DASH in the two groups. Adipose tissue insulin resistance index (Adipo-IR) increases in T2D patients accounted for 47% of the correlation between DASH and HLC changes.

A switch to a diet more similar to the DASH pattern was linked to favorable changes in VAT and HLC which were partially accounted for adjustments in anthropometric measurements and Adipo-IR. Overall, a better lifestyle indicated by a stronger adherence to the DASH diet helps to effectively lower VAT and HLC.

Reference:

Schaefer, E., Lang, A., Kupriyanova, Y., Bódis, K. B., Weber, K. S., Buyken, A. E., Barbaresko, J., Kössler, T., Kahl, S., Zaharia, O., Szendroedi, J., Herder, C., Schrauwen‐Hinderling, V. B., Wagner, R., Kuss, O., Roden, M., & Schlesinger, S. (2024). Adherence to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is associated with lower visceral and hepatic lipid content in recent‐onset type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. In Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1111/dom.15772