Large spikes in blood glucose experienced after meals in people with type 2 diabetes are known to damage blood vessels. Low carbohydrate high fat diets and exercise can improve blood glucose control in people with type 2 diabetes but it is unclear how these two strategies interact to affect blood vessel function and inflammation. We will examine how following a short-term low carbohydrate high fat diet (4 days) with or without post-meal walking impacts markers of blood vessel function and inflammation. We will also examine how a single low carbohydrate high fat meal, with or without post-meal walking, impacts blood glucose control and blood vessel function. Findings will help determine the best lifestyle approach for improving cardiovascular health in type 2 diabetes.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
16
Participants will engage in 4 days of high-carbohydrate low fat diet as recommended by the Canadian Diabetes Association. The macronutrients content will go as follow: 55% carbohydrate, 25% protein and 20% fat. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided to the participants as part of an isoenergetic diet. Between interventions there will be at least a one-week washout, where participants are encouraged to return to their baseline dietary habits.
Participants will engage in 4 days of low-carbohydrate high-fat diet. The macronutrients content will go as follow: 10% carbohydrate, 25% protein and 65% fat. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided to the participants as part of an isoenergetic diet. Between interventions there will be at least a one-week washout, where participants are encouraged to return to their baseline dietary habits.
Participants will follow the same diet as in the low-carbohydrate diet arm but also perform 15 minutes of walking beginning \~15 minutes after breakfast, lunch and dinner. Approximately 70 kcal (individualized) will be added to main meals to account for exercise energy expenditure. Between interventions there will be at least a one-week washout, where participants are encouraged to return to their baseline dietary habits.
University of British Columbia, Okanagan.
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
Difference in glycemic control assessed by continuous glucose monitoring in low-carbohydrate, low-carbohydrate plus post-meal walking, and high-carbohydrate low-fat arm.
Time frame: 4-day average glucose levels assessed in each arm.
Change from baseline in circulating inflammatory cytokines after 4 days of intervention.
Time frame: Fasting measurements taken on day 1 and day 5.
Change from baseline in toll-like receptors 2 and 4 expression on white blood cells after 4 days of intervention.
Time frame: Fasting measurements taken on day 1 and day 5.
Change from baseline in flow mediated dilation of brachial artery after 4 days of intervention.
Time frame: Fasting measurements taken on day 1 and day 5.
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