Increased consumption of calcium from fat-free milk, energy restricted diet, and educational activities improves metabolic control in overweight type 2 diabetic patients.

Abstract

We assessed the effects of increased calcium consumption from fat-free milk in an energy-restricted diet and educational activities in the metabolic control of overweight type 2 diabetic patients (T2DM). Fourteen subjects with T2DM [body mass index (BMI) 29.4±4.5 kg/m2, low habitual calcium consumption (<600 mg/d)] were included in this randomized, crossover clinical trial. Subjects were randomly allocated to one of two interventions: drink containing 700 mg of calcium (DAIR) or drink containing 0 mg of calcium (CONT) for 90 consecutive days each. Energy-restricted diets (- 500 kcal/day), containing 800 mg of calcium from dietary sources/day were prescribed for both groups. Questionnaires were applied at baseline and at the end of the study to assess the subjects knowledge on the disease and on self-care, biochemical variables and physical activity. Blood pressure, food intake, body composition and anthropometry were assessed at baseline, day-45 and day-90. There was a higher reduction of body fat %, waist circumference, hip circumference, neck circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, sagittal abdominal diameter, diastolic / systolic blood pressure, and an increase in fat-free mass % in DAIR than in CONT. Uric acid, fasting glucose, Hb1Ac, PTH, and ALT concentrations reduced and vitamin D concentration increased after 90 days in DAIR compared with CONT. The consumption of energy-restricted diet containing 1200 mg calcium/day seems to favor metabolic control in subjects with T2DM. The educational activities increased the knowledge on the disease care.