Often when cases of Type 2 diabetes are first diagnosed, new diabetics are given an initial dietary consultation with a follow-up six months later. Researchers at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom set out to discover whether a more intensive program of diet and physical activity could be of more benefit. Their results were published in the journal Lancet in July 2011.

Five hundred and ninety-three people who had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes were included in this particular study:

ninety-nine people were given “usual care”,
248 were given a dietary regimen which included nurses checking them every month, together with dietary consultations every 3 months… referred to as a “strict” dietary regimen.
246 were given the above dietary regimen with increased physical activity.

Results showed: After 6 months the hemoglobin A1c, (HbA1c), levels increased in the group receiving the “usual care” and lowered, or improved, in those receiving the “strict” dietary regimen. The group receiving the “strict” dietary regimen along with increased physical activity also found their HbA1c level had lowered. The improved HbA1c levels continued to be seen even after the following 12 months.

Body weight and insulin resistance were also improved to a much greater extent in the intensive program groups, more than in the group of diabetics receiving “usual care”.

Conclusion reached: Researchers therefore decided intensive intervention commencing soon after diagnosis could improve blood sugar control in Type 2 diabetics.

One study will not change the usual care given to newly diagnosed diabetics, and insurance companies will not begin to pay for more care based upon this study… so newly diagnosed diabetics will need to take up the slack.

Hints for newly diagnosed diabetics:

when given a diet plan, refer to it daily. Recording your daily weight will help you to keep track of how well you are following the plan.
nurses are often available for telephone consultations at physician’s offices and insurance companies… usually patients can call and ask questions without having to wait six months for an appointment.
fitness trainers are another source of advice where diet plans are concerned. If given a copy of your diet plan, good trainers are usually happy to discuss them with you if you are their client. They will check to see if the diet plan is being followed, as well as creating and helping you to follow a regular plan of physical activity. Clients going to a gym and meeting with fitness trainers two to three times per week will obtain even more attention than the diabetics in the above study’s intervention groups.

Families can also be helpful in maintaining dietary regimens. Sometimes just discussing your diet plan with a family member can help to clarify the plan and help with its implementation.

Start treating a new case of Type 2 diabetes early and don’t give it a chance to cause complications.