In the realm of diabetes management, a recent study presented at the fall press conference of the German Diabetes Society sheds light on the effectiveness of nutrition therapy for patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Dr. Diana Rubin, Chief Physician at the Center for Nutritional Medicine and Diabetology, emphasizes the correlation between weight reduction and the normalization of blood sugar levels.
Nutrition Therapy’s Resurgence
Despite modern medicine’s advancements, nutrition therapy has taken a backseat in diabetes management over the last 50 years. Rubin contends that nutrition therapy, coupled with weight reduction, can significantly delay the onset of diabetes for years, allowing patients to remain healthy, even if not fully healed.
The Challenge of Remission
While achieving remission through personalized nutrition therapy is feasible, it’s rarely permanent. The majority of patients tend to relapse into type 2 diabetes after approximately five years. One contributing factor to this challenge is the limited coverage of personalized nutrition counseling by statutory health insurance companies.
The Need for Personalization
Rubin highlights the importance of personalized nutrition therapy, an aspect often overlooked in current diabetes training programs covered by health insurance. Current group training sessions, typically led by non-experts, adopt a one-size-fits-all approach that may not be effective for all individuals.
Success Stories: The DiRECT Study
Rubin cites the DiRECT study as a prime example of the efficacy of personalized nutrition therapy. In this study, patients achieved remission rates of almost 90% by reducing their weight by 15 kg. The success lay in individualized aims and methods, coupled with frequent therapist contact.
Telemedicine’s Role in Adherence
Considering the current living situation of individuals is crucial for successful nutrition therapy. Setting realistic, small objectives achievable in daily life requires professional face-to-face consultations. Rubin sees great potential in digital apps and telemedicine for short-term contact, emphasizing the importance of long-term monitoring to maintain weight loss.
Abdominal Fat’s Role in Prediabetes Remission
The study emphasizes the role of abdominal fat in the remission of prediabetes. Achieving remission is associated with better insulin sensitivity and significant loss of visceral abdominal fat. Reduction in waist circumference, particularly by 4 cm in women and 7 cm in men, increases the chances of remission.
A Paradigm Shift in Therapeutic Objectives
Based on these findings, the study suggests remission should be the new therapeutic objective for individuals with prediabetes. The potential shift in clinical practice could minimize complication rates and improve overall patient outcomes. Further investigations will assess the cost-effectiveness of this strategy for broader support from payers.
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