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The Role of the Mediterranean Dietary Pattern on Metabolic Control of Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: A Narrative Review

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Diabetes: from Research to Clinical Practice

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterised by hyperglycemia and abnormalities in carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. Several studies demonstrated that foods typical of the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), including vegetables, fruits, oilseeds, extra virgin olive oil and fish, can promote health benefits for individuals at risk of or with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). In this review, we summarised randomised clinical trials, cohort studies, meta-analyses and systematic reviews that evaluated the effects of the MedDiet on metabolic control of T2DM. The data suggest that the MedDiet influences cardiovascular risk factors, including blood pressure, lipid profile, insulin resistance, inflammation and glucose metabolism, in T2DM patients. In conclusion, the MedDiet appears to protect patients from macro- and microangiopathy and should be considering in the management of diabetic patients.

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Abbreviations

ADA:

American Diabetes Association

CRP:

C-reactive protein

CVD :

Cardiovascular disease

DKD:

Diabetic kidney disease

DM:

Diabetes mellitus

EPIC:

European Prospective Investigation of Cancer and Nutrition

GLUT-4:

Glucose transporter type 4

HbA1c:

Glycated hemoglobin

HDL-c:

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol

IL-6:

Interleukin-6

LDL:

Low-density lipoprotein

MedDiet:

Mediterranean diet

T1DM:

Type 1 diabetes mellitus

T2DM:

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

TNF-αあるふぁ:

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha

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Acknowledgments

KBG and MTA are grateful to Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico – CNPq for the research fellowship. JAGT is grateful to Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – CAPES for the research fellowship.

Funding

CNPq AND CAPES.

Declarations of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Correspondence to Karina Braga Gomes .

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Tosatti, J.A.G., Alves, M.T., Gomes, K.B. (2020). The Role of the Mediterranean Dietary Pattern on Metabolic Control of Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: A Narrative Review. In: Islam, M.S. (eds) Diabetes: from Research to Clinical Practice. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology(), vol 1307. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/5584_2020_513

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