Dr. Sanjay Kalra, Dr. Subodh Banzal, Dr. Hariballav Mahapatra, Dr. Chetan Mehndiratta
Background: Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) plays a very important role in diabetes management if advised to the patient with proper counselling.
Objective: The objective of this prospective study was to determine efficacy and safety of MNT in improving glycemic control in pre-diabetic and diabetic population as monotherapy and as added therapy with ongoing anti-diabetic drugs.
Methods: Adult participants with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and pre-diabetics (HbA1c>6.0) were selected for the study. The MNT as Oral Nutrition Supplement was supplemented to their diet with and without concomitant medications. The primary endpoint was change in HbA1c, fasting and postprandial blood glucose. Secondary endpoints were change in lipid parameters such as cholesterol, high density lipids (HDL), low density lipids (LDL) and triglycerides. Mean change in the parameters were analysed using paired t-test with significance value of 5%. This was a 24-week, multi-centre, prospective, observational study.
Results: A total of 313 patients completed the study until 24 weeks and a statistically significant reduction in HbA1c levels was seen from baseline to 12 weeks (8.6% to 7.7%; p<0.001) and at 24 weeks (8.6% to 7.1%: p<0.001), respectively, due to only MNT intake. Similar significant reduction in fasting glucose (167.4 to 119.4 mg/dL) and post-prandial glucose parameters (232.1 to 156.2 mg/dL) were also observed at both 12 and 24 weeks, respectively due to only MNT intake. The data showed that MNT is effective as both stand alone and as add-on food supplement to ongoing therapies and safe to consume.
Conclusion: There was significant reduction in levels of hyperglycemic and lipid parameters in pre-diabetics and diabetics upon taking monotherapy or as an added therapy along with anti-diabetic drugs.