blood glucose regulation remains unclear. The purpose of this work was to investigate the acute effects of supplementing

the diet with soluble fiber in regards to it’s glucose and cholesterol lowering thereby reducing the HbA1c and therefore the

complications from diabetes. By reducing the HbA1c (Average Blood Glucose) 1%, the DCCT2 study showed Type 1

diabetics could reduce the complications of Retinopathy by 38%, Nephropathy by 28% Neuropathy by 35%. The UKPDS3

showed that by reducing the HbA1c in Type 2 diabetics by 0.9% you could reduce any diabetic end point by 12%, reduce any

Microvascular end point by 25%, reduce MI by 16%, reduce Retinopathy by 21% and reduce microalbuminurea at 12 years

by 34%.

The UKPDS also showed that Postprandial (blood glucose 1-2 hours after eating) glucose is a better indicator of glycemic

control than fasting glucose levels4. Treatment of postprandial hyperglycemia is critical to achieving optimal outcomes in

type 2 diabetes5.

The New England JM6 5/2000 showed that a high intake of dietary fiber 50 gms particularly of the soluble type, improves

glycemic control, decreases hyperinsulinemia, and lowers plasma lipid concentrations in patients with type 2 diabetes.

cholesterol (210), Triglycerides (299), HDL (35), weight (208lbs.)and blood pressure(145/82), Average Postprandial

blood glucose(250mg/dl.), average fasting blood glucose (150mg/dl.) were taken. Fifteen patients (7male/8 female), average

age 65, were given 10grams of soluble fiber to be added to their diet of 15-20 grams. Fiber consisted of Guar Gum, Gum

Arabic, Locust Bean Gum, Pectin, Oat Fiber (Source of Beta Glucans), and Stevia dispersed in Calcium Carbonate. Five

grams were taken twice daily 5-10 minutes prior to eating for 90 days. They continued to monitor fasting and postprandial

blood glucose through the study period. At the conclusion of the 90 day period, their levels were measured.

and supplementation, mean daily preprandial plasma glucose concentrations were 17 percent lower (95 percent confidence

interval). The high-fiber diet and supplementation also lowered the area under the curve for 2-hour plasma glucose

concentrations, by 36 percent. The high-fiber diet and supplementation reduced plasma total cholesterol concentrations by 12

percent, triglyceride concentrations by 42 percent, raised high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations by 6 percent,

reduced body weight by an average of 6 pounds, lowered blood pressure from 145/82 to 131/77 and lowered HbA1c from

9.2% to 7.8%(1.4 decrease).

(25-30grm.), improves glycemic control, decreases hyperinsulinemia, and lowers plasma lipid concentrations in patients with

type 2 diabetes. Reducing postprandial blood glucose significantly caused a decrease of HbA1c by 1.4%, therefore reducing

the complications from diabetes.2-5-6

1-Beckles GLA et al. Diabetes Care. 1998;21:1432-1438.American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care. 1998;21(Suppl

1).Colwell JA. Ann Intern Med. 1996;124(1pt2):131-135.Abraira C et al. Diabetes Care. 1992;15:1560-1571.Klein R et al.

Am J Epidemiol. 1987;126:415-428.Cowie CC et al. Diabetes in America. 2nd ed. vol. 44, November ol. 44, November,

1995.

2- The New England Journal of Medicine -- September 30, 1993 -- Vol. 329, No. 14-DCCT research group, Diabetes

95;44:969-983;

3- Hawaii Med J 2000 Jul;59(7):295-8, 313; BMJ. 2000 Aug 12;321(7258):405-12.

4- Harris et al. Diabetes Care. 1994.

5- De Veciana et al. N Engl J Med. 1995;333:1239

6- NEJM May 11, 2000 - Vol. 342, No. 19; Klein, R, Diabetes Care. 1996:18:258-268

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