Glycemic and cardiovascular parameters improved in type 2 diabetes with the high nutrient density (HND) diet

D. M. Dunaief, J. Fuhrman, J. L. Dunaief, G. Ying

Center for Preventive Ophthalmology and Biostatistics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
F.M.Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Private Practice, Flemington, NJ, USA.
Private Practice, Medical Compass MD, East Setauket, NY, USA.

DOI: 10.4236/ojpm.2012.23053                

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to provide an initial assessment of the effectiveness of the high nutrient density (HND) diet on glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factors in participants with type 2 diabetes. Design: This was a retrospective case series study. Participants were 13 adult type 2 diabetic U.S. women and men between the ages of 30 - 80 years old. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C), lipid profile, blood pressure, BMI, and medication requirements before and after commencement of the HND diet were compared. Results: After a median length on the HND diet of 7 months, the mean HbA1C dropped from 8.2% to 5.8% (p = 0.002), with sixty-two percent of participants reaching normoglycemic levels (HbA1C < 6.0%). There was a substantial reduction in mean blood pressure for hypertensive participants (n=10) from a pre-intervention level of 148/87 mmHg to 121/74 mmHg (p = 0.0004 for systolic blood pressure, p = 0.01 for diastolic blood pressure). Triglycerides significantly decreased from a mean of 171 mg/dl to a mean of 103 mg/dl (p = 0.02). The HDL increased significantly from 48.3 mg/dl to 54.6 mg/dl (p = 0.03). The mean number of medications dropped from 4 to 1 (p = 0.0006). Conclusions: The HND diet was very effective in controlling glycemic levels and cardiovascular risk factors in 13 participants with type 2 diabetes. Therefore, there is a well-justified need for further study with the HND diet.

Keywords

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; Lipids; Hypertension; Nutrition; Cardiovascular Disease; Lifestyle Medicine; HbA1C; BMI

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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