Metabolic effects of an enteral nutrition formula for diabetes: comparison with standard formulas in patients with type 1 diabetes

Aim: To evaluate the metabolic response (glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides and β-hydroxy-butyrate) in patients with type 1 diabetes after a trial breakfast with an enteral nutrition formula designed for patients with diabetes and compare it with standard formulas (with and without fibre). Material and methods: Each of 11 patients with type 1 diabetes consumed three types of liquid breakfast with a 1 week interval between each. (1) A standard diet (SD) with 49% carbohydrates, 35% lipids, 16% proteins—casein—and without fibre; (2) A fibre-enriched diet (FD): with 49% carbohydrates, 35% lipids, 16% casein and 15 g/1000 ml fibre; (3) A diet designed for patients with diabetes (DD) with 45% carbohydrates, 38% lipids, 16% soy protein and 15 g/1000 ml fibre. Each subject consumed 250 ml of each preparation at 9.00 AM after having administered their usual insulin dose, which was the same for each diet. Blood samples were taken at baseline and each 30 min, up to 150 min. Results: The increase in postprandial glycaemia was lower with DD than with the standard preparations, reaching statistical significance at 60 min. There were no significant variations in the levels of cholesterol, triglycerides or β-hydroxy-butyrate between the three preparations. Conclusions: After a trial breakfast, a diet designed for patients with diabetes provoked lower increases in postprandial glycaemia (with no changes in lipid or β-hydroxy-butyrate levels) compared to the standard diets evaluated (with and without fibre).