Diet versus average Danish food in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Ten randomly selected insulin-dependent diabetics with minimal betacell function were studied during treatment with an artificial betacell during two consecutive 24-hour periods. Patients were randomly served diabetic diet for one 24-hour period and average Danish food during the other 24-hour period. No significant (P>0.05) difference was found between the mean blood glucose concentrations, nor insulin requirements on average Danish food compared to diet. However, the mean amplitude of glucose excursions was significantly higher on average Danish food than on diabetic diet (median 3.6 versus 2.7 mmol/1, P<0.05). Thus insulin-dependent patients not following their diabetes diet will show increased blood glucose fluctuations.

Key-words:

• artificial betacell
• blood glucose
• diet
• insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
• insulin requirement