Effects of macro-and micro nutrients intake on blood sugar, serum triglyceride and cholesterol in type II diabetes

One of the problems that threaten public health is the increase in the number of diabetics in the world, 90% of who have type II diabetes. In most cases, dietary foods and controlling weight can maintain their blood sugar and lipids at normal range. This study was intended to evaluate the effect of nutrients intake on blood sugar, serum triglyceride, and cholesterol in type II diabetics. This descriptive analytic study was done on 77 type II diabetic patients randomly chosen in 2005. Their weight and height were measured then their self-reported nutrients intake during 24 hours was also recorded. Besides, the amount of food for three consecutive days and food frequency intake for each patient were determined and each case's nutrient intake was calculated through Food Processor software. Blood sugar, serum triglyceride, and cholesterol indices were measured after 12 hours fasting. The obtained data was statistically analyzed by means of SPSS software, using descriptive statistics and partial correlation coefficient at the significant level P≤0.05. The patients mean age was 53.79±14.22 years their body mass index (BMI) was 26.99±5.00 kg/m2. Mean concentration of blood sugar and serum triglyceride, serum triglyceride, and cholesterol were 198. 01±81.24, 258.45±146.43, 241.98±62.45 mg/dL, respectively. Among macronutrients, there was a significant relationship between fibers with blood sugar and serum triglyceride, between Mono-Unsaturated Fatty Acids(MUFA) with serum triglyceride, and between Poly Unsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA) with blood sugar and serum triglyceride (P<0.05). Among micronutrient, only vitamin C had a significant relationship with blood sugar (P<0/05). Regarding the important effect of nutrients including fibrous foods, unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin C on controlling blood sugar and lipid, diet therapy can be recommended as the first or essential treatment, together with therapeutic methods, in controlling blood sugar and lipid in type II diabetes.