Harnessing power of fiber: Systematic review advocates increased dietary fiber intake for management of diabetes

The study, published in the World Journal of Diabetes, showed that dietary fiber is a valuable strategy in T2DM treatment, improving health outcomes. DF intake holds the potential to improve quality of life and reduce mortality and complications associated with diabetes.

Similarly, through enriched foods or supplements, DF significantly contributes to the control of several markers, such as blood glucose, HbA1c, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, and body weight.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus, a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and elevated blood sugar levels, represents a significant public health challenge worldwide. While pharmacological interventions remain a cornerstone of T2DM management, emerging research has increasingly emphasized the importance of dietary interventions in complementing traditional treatment modalities and enhancing long-term outcomes.

The etiology of type 2 diabetes is closely related to sedentary lifestyles and imbalanced dietary practices. Conversely, increasing dietary fiber intake has consistently demonstrated health benefits in several studies, including better glycemic control and weight management.

Against the above background, Douglas Nitzke, Department of Nutrition, Centro Universitário CESUCA, Cachoeirinha, Brazil, and colleagues aimed to investigate the efficacy of DF interventions in T2DM management.

For this purpose, the research team conducted a systematic literature review to explore the association between DF intake and type 2 diabetes management. Following the exclusion and inclusion criteria, the review included 26 studies.

The following were the key findings of the study:

• The main strategies implied to increased DF intake were: High DF diet plus acarbose (2 studies); high DF diets (10 studies), and DF supplements (14 studies).
• Most studies indicated that increased DF intake led to better glycemic control and weight management in T2DM patients.

The researchers, however, suggest that weight loss is more impacted by calorie restriction rather than by the amount of fiber in the diet.

"Hence, future clinical studies should further explore the combination of increased DF intake and calorie restriction, as this strategy presents the most valuable results in T2DM management," they wrote.

The systematic review not only elucidates the therapeutic potential of dietary fiber in T2DM management but also underscores the importance of dietary modifications as a cornerstone of personalized treatment approaches. As healthcare providers increasingly recognize the pivotal role of nutrition in chronic disease management, the findings of this landmark study offer actionable insights that can inform clinical practice guidelines and empower individuals with T2DM to take proactive steps toward better health outcomes.

Reference:

Nitzke, Douglas, et al. "Increasing Dietary Fiber Intake for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Management: a Systematic Review." World Journal of Diabetes, vol. 15, no. 5, 2024, pp. 1001-1010.