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

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 mean 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.

Improved Cardiovascular Parameter With a Nutrient-Dense, Plant-Rich Diet-Style: A Patient Survey With Illustrative Cases

“…21 The results of this approach has also been reported in a pilot study of diabetes patients with dramatically favorable results, and a larger controlled trial is beginning shortly. 22 The effectiveness of this approach corroborates the many studies indicating a reduction in CAD mortality from the inclusion of these fat-rich whole foods. [23][24][25] In addition to providing fiber, protein, phytosterols, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, nuts and seeds are also a source of beneficial fatty acids, which enhance phytochemical and antioxidant absorption from other foods.…”

Nutritionally recommended food for semi- to strict vegetarian diets based on large-scale nutrient composition data

“…Another interesting work is to search for foods low in calories but still with high NFs. These foods might be comparable to, yet distinct from, foods with high micronutrient levels per calorie, which have been suggested to benefit weight and glycaemic control and cardiovascular risk management 33 , 34 . We first observed that the calorie level of each food clearly follows a bimodal distribution (Supplementary Fig.…”

Dietary Protocols to Maximize Disease Reversal and Long-Term Safety

“…Changes From Baseline in High Nutrient Density Diet 53. Abbreviations: HND, high nutrient diet; BMI, body mass index.…”