An Almond-Based Low Carbohydrate Diet Improves Depression and Glycometabolism in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes through Modulating Gut Microbiota and GLP-1: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine the effects of an almond-based low-carbohydrate diet (a-LCD) on depression, glycometabolism, gut microbiota, and fasting GLP-1 levels in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).
Results Summary
The a-LCD significantly improved depression and HbA1c levels, increased SCFA-producing gut bacteria (Roseburia, Ruminococcus, Eubacterium), and elevated GLP-1 concentration compared to a low-fat diet. The study suggests these benefits may be linked to SCFA production and GPR43 activation.
Population
45 participants with T2DM from a diabetes club and hospital endocrine divisions.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
3 months
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
almond-based low carbohydrate diet (a-LCD) | decrease | depression | patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) | - | significantly improved | #1 |
almond-based low carbohydrate diet (a-LCD) | decrease | glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) | patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) | - | significantly improved | #2 |
almond-based low carbohydrate diet (a-LCD) | increase | short chain fatty acid (SCFAs)-producing bacteria Roseburia | patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) | - | significantly increased | #3 |
almond-based low carbohydrate diet (a-LCD) | increase | short chain fatty acid (SCFAs)-producing bacteria Ruminococcus | patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) | - | significantly increased | #4 |
almond-based low carbohydrate diet (a-LCD) | increase | short chain fatty acid (SCFAs)-producing bacteria Eubacterium | patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) | - | significantly increased | #5 |
almond-based low carbohydrate diet (a-LCD) | increase | GLP-1 concentration | patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) | - | was higher than that in the LFD group | #6 |
BACKGROUND: Alow carbohydrate diet (LCD) is more beneficial for the glycometabolism in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and may be effective in reducing depression. Almond, which is a common nut, has been shown to effectively improve hyperglycemia and depression symptoms. This study aimed to determine the effect of an almond-based LCD (a-LCD) on depression and glycometabolism, as well as gut microbiota and fasting glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) in patients with T2DM. METHODS: This was a randomized controlled trial which compared an a-LCD with a low-fat diet (LFD). Forty-five participants with T2DM at a diabetes club and the Endocrine Division of the First and Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University between December 2018 to December 2019 completed each dietary intervention for 3 months, including 22 in the a-LCD group and 23 in the LFD group. The indicators for depression and biochemical indicators including glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), gut microbiota, and GLP-1 concentration were assessed at the baseline and third month and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: A-LCD significantly improved depression and HbA1c (p <0.01). Meanwhile, a-LCD significantly increased the short chain fatty acid (SCFAs)-producing bacteria Roseburia, Ruminococcus and Eubacterium. The GLP-1 concentration in the a-LCD group was higher than that in the LFD group (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A-LCD could exert a beneficial effect on depression and glycometabolism in patients with T2DM. We speculate that the role of a-LCD in improving depression in patients with T2DM may be associated with it stimulating the growth of SCFAs-producing bacteria, increasing SCFAs production and GPR43 activation, and further maintaining GLP-1 secretion. In future studies, the SCFAs and GPR43 activation should be further examined.