Fasting glucose as a marker for greater weight loss on a high-fiber, low-glycemic diet

Presented at the American Diabetes Association's 77th Scientific Sessions, the data suggest that fasting plasma glucose levels -- also called blood sugar levels -- could be helpful in determining the type of diet that is most effective for weight management for people with prediabetes or diabetes.

Senior author Sai Krupa Das, Ph.D., scientist in the Energy Metabolism Laboratory at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston, said that:

"Fasting blood sugar is easily measured and our findings suggest that it could serve as a useful measure in advising some patients on the type of diet that is most beneficial for their weight loss."

"The biggest benefits of the high-fiber, low-glycemic diet were seen in people with high fasting blood sugar levels. Study participants with higher blood sugar levels lost more weight on a high-fiber, low-glycemic diet than those on the same diet with lower blood sugar levels, suggesting that it might be possible to optimize weight loss approaches based on a simple clinical measure."

Das is the senior author on the Healthy Weight for Living Study which found that workplace-based weight programs could be an effective approach for people with significant weight loss goals. Data from that study was used in this new analysis.

Participants in the six month study who were overweight or with obesity and who had high fasting blood glucose lost a greater percentage of body weight (-9.4 percent) compared to those with low fasting blood glucose (-4.1 percent).

Notably, 79% of participants with high fasting blood glucose had lost five percent of their body weight compared to 50% with low fasting blood glucose.

In addition, 36% in the high group, vs. 8% in the low group lost 10% of their body weight.

Study author Susan B. Roberts, Ph.D., director of the Energy Metabolism Laboratory at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, said that:

"The difference in response among those with high fasting blood sugar and lower fasting blood sugar is important. It might be time to consider glycemic status when advising patients on the best strategy for weight loss,"

Participants in the Healthy Weight for Living Study benefited from a behavioral weight loss intervention based on the "I diet" which is a high-fiber and low-glycemic weight loss program that includes behavioral support.

References

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/06/170612094115.htm