The effects of a dietary fiber (white lupine bran) in the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes Efectos de una fibra dietaria (salvado de lupino dulce) en el tratamiento de la diabetes no insulinodependiente.

Abstract

We evaluated the effect of dietary fiber from sweet lupine hull (SLH) upon metabolic control in 16 non insulin dependent diabetics (11 males, mean age 52). Body mass index was 23 +/- 2 and non fasting glucose levels were < 200 mg/dl. Following a 2 month control period, patients received SLH, 10 g th 3rd month and 20 g the fourth. Eleven patients received in addition oral hypoglycemic drugs. Intake of crude dietary fiber increased from 4.1 +/- 1.7 to 8.4 +/- 2 and 13.1 +/- 1 g from control to the 3rd and 4th month. Blood glucose increased and cholesterol level decreased in the 3rd month (p < 0.05). During the 4th month, blood glucose decreased to control levels. No changes were observed in body mass, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, glycosylated Hb and non-fasting glucose and insulin levels in relation to fiber intake. We conclude that dietary fiber intake is low in our patients but a supplement of 10 to 20 g of this particular fiber did not improve metabolic control.