Long-term use of a diabetes-specific oral nutritional supplement results in a low-postprandial glucose response in diabetes patients

BackgroundTo determine the effect of 12 weeks supplementation with a high-MUFA, high-fibre diabetes-specific oral nutritional supplement (ONS) on postprandial glucose response in type 2 diabetic patients at risk for malnutrition.MethodsForty patients participated in this randomised, controlled, double-blind, parallel-group study. Subjects consumed 2 × 200 ml of diabetes-specific ONS (Diasip®) or standard ONS per day in addition to their normal diet. At baseline, after 6 and 12 weeks postprandial glucose responses and secondary parameters were assessed.ResultsPostprandial glucose responses (incremental area under curve) (p < 0.01) and delta postprandial peak glucose concentration (p < 0.01) were significantly lower in the diabetes-specific ONS group compared with the standard ONS group at all visits. In time, iAUC glucose (p = 0.074, t = 0 week vs. t = 12 weeks) and delta postprandial peak plasma glucose concentration (p < 0.05, t = 0 week vs. t = 12 weeks) were decreased within the diabetes-specific ONS group, but not in the standard ONS group. No significant differences in fasting glucose, insulin, HbA1c, lipid profile, hs-CRP, oxidized LDL and malondialdehyde, laboratory safety parameters and nutritional status parameters were found between both groups at either of the visits.ConclusionsThese data demonstrate that diabetic patients at risk for malnutrition benefit from use of this diabetes-specific ONS to improve postprandial blood glucose control.