Benefits of a Paleolithic diet with and without supervised exercise on fat mass, insulin sensitivity, and glycemic control: a randomized controlled trial in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether a Paleolithic diet, with or without supervised exercise, improves cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic balance in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Results Summary
The Paleolithic diet significantly reduced fat mass, improved insulin sensitivity, lowered HbA1c, and decreased leptin levels in participants with type 2 diabetes. Supervised exercise preserved lean mass in men and increased cardiovascular fitness but did not enhance metabolic outcomes beyond the diet alone.
Population
Thirty-two patients with type 2 diabetes (average age 59 ± 8 years).
Effective Dosage
Not specified (dietary intervention only).
Duration
12 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Paleolithic diet | decrease | fat mass | patients with type 2 diabetes | 5.7 kg | decreased | #1 |
Paleolithic diet with supervised exercise sessions | decrease | fat mass | patients with type 2 diabetes | 6.7 kg | decreased | #2 |
Paleolithic diet | increase | insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR) | patients with type 2 diabetes | 45% | improved | #3 |
Paleolithic diet with supervised exercise sessions | increase | insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR) | patients with type 2 diabetes | 45% | improved | #4 |
Paleolithic diet | decrease | HbA1c | patients with type 2 diabetes | 0.9% | decreased | #5 |
Paleolithic diet with supervised exercise sessions | decrease | HbA1c | patients with type 2 diabetes | 1.1% | decreased | #6 |
Paleolithic diet | decrease | leptin | patients with type 2 diabetes | 62% | decreased | #7 |
Paleolithic diet with supervised exercise sessions | decrease | leptin | patients with type 2 diabetes | 42% | decreased | #8 |
Paleolithic diet with supervised exercise sessions | increase | maximum oxygen uptake | patients with type 2 diabetes | 0.2 L/min | increased | #9 |
Paleolithic diet | no change | maximum oxygen uptake | patients with type 2 diabetes | - | remained unchanged | #10 |
Paleolithic diet | decrease | lean mass | male participants with type 2 diabetes | 2.6 kg | decreased | #11 |
Paleolithic diet with supervised exercise sessions | decrease | lean mass | male participants with type 2 diabetes | 1.2 kg | decreased | #12 |
BACKGROUND: Means to reduce future risk for cardiovascular disease in subjects with type 2 diabetes are urgently needed. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with type 2 diabetes (age 59 ± 8 years) followed a Paleolithic diet for 12 weeks. Participants were randomized to either standard care exercise recommendations (PD) or 1-h supervised exercise sessions (aerobic exercise and resistance training) three times per week (PD-EX). RESULTS: For the within group analyses, fat mass decreased by 5.7 kg (IQR: -6.6, -4.1; p < 0.001) in the PD group and by 6.7 kg (-8.2, -5.3; p < 0.001) in the PD-EX group. Insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR) improved by 45% in the PD (p < 0.001) and PD-EX (p < 0.001) groups. HbA1c decreased by 0.9% (-1.2, -0.6; p < 0.001) in the PD group and 1.1% (-1.7, -0.7; p < 0.01) in the PD-EX group. Leptin decreased by 62% (p < 0.001) in the PD group and 42% (p < 0.001) in the PD-EX group. Maximum oxygen uptake increased by 0.2 L/min (0.0, 0.3) in the PD-EX group, and remained unchanged in the PD group (p < 0.01 for the difference between intervention groups). Male participants decreased lean mass by 2.6 kg (-3.6, -1.3) in the PD group and by 1.2 kg (-1.3, 1.0) in the PD-EX group (p < 0.05 for the difference between intervention groups). CONCLUSIONS: A Paleolithic diet improves fat mass and metabolic balance including insulin sensitivity, glycemic control, and leptin in subjects with type 2 diabetes. Supervised exercise training may not enhance the effects on these outcomes, but preserves lean mass in men and increases cardiovascular fitness. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.