The role of diet in the prevention and treatment of diabetes

A dramatic increase in the prevalence of diabetes in the United States and globally is related to the rise in obesity and sedentary lifestyle. Having a blood glucose level that is higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes is associated with a high risk for developing type 2 diabetes and is referred to as prediabetes. Losing weight and increasing physical activity can prevent or delay the development of type 2 diabetes. Treatment goals focus on controlling blood glucose, blood pressure, and lipids with emphasis on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to prevent micro- and macrovascular complications. Nutritional management of diabetes, also known as diabetes medical nutrition therapy, is based on individual assessment to develop a personalized tailored evidence-based treatment plan. The distribution of macronutrient and dietary pattern may vary based on a number of factors, including matching insulin to lifestyle in type 1 diabetes and weight loss in type 2 diabetes.