New Study Reveals Another Way That Nutrisystem D Helps People With Diabetes Manage Their Blood Glucose
Posted By: Meghan Nichols, R.D.Project Manager, Research and Development at Nutrisystem
Q & A with Anthony Fabricatore, Senior Director of Research and Development at Nutrisystem
Q: Hi Dr. Fabricatore, congratulations on the completion of another new Nutrisystem clinical study. I understand you will
be presenting your findings at the 2012 American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions. Can you give some background on this new research?
A: Thanks, I’m excited to present this new science on our program. Basically, our previous clinical studies have shown that Nutrisystem D helps people with type 2 diabetes lower their HbA1C, a lab value that correlates with average blood glucose levels over a 3 month period and is used as an indicator of good diabetes control. Another important aspect of diabetes control is glycemic variability, which is how much your blood glucose levels fluctuate. This study was intended to explore what effects the Nutrisystem® D®- program could have on glycemic variability in people with type 2 diabetes, compared to their usual diet.
Q: Interesting, so how does glycemic variability impact people with diabetes?
A: Well, for example, two people with diabetes could have an HbA1C of 7.0%, which is a target that many people with diabetes are trying to reach. This roughly correlates to an average blood glucose level of 170m/dl. However, they could have achieved this approximate average very differently, with one person consistently staying between 100 and 240 mg/dl, and the other ranging from 50 to 400 mg/dl. Some research has shown that wide fluctuations in blood glucose levels leads to oxidative stress in your body which contributes to the development of diabetes-related complications, like blindness and cardiovascular disease. If you can tighten up the fluctuations in day-to-day blood sugar levels, you may be able to reduce your risk of developing these complications.
Q: How did you measure glycemic variability?
A: We used a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) which is a device with a small sensor that is inserted under the skin. This monitor automatically checks blood glucose levels every few minutes. In the case of this study, blood glucose readings were taken every 5 minutes over a 14-day period when people followed the Nutrisystem D program, and another 14-day period when they ate what they would normally eat.
Q: What did your study find?
A: We saw that when study participants were using the Nutrisystem D program, they had less variability in their blood glucose readings. They also had a lower average blood glucose value on Nutrisystem D and they spent less time in the high blood glucose range.
Q: What is it about Nutrisystem D that produced these positive results?
A: This particular study was not designed to reveal the exact contributor to these positive results, so they could be due to any of the positive nutritional features of the Nutrisystem D program including the lower calories, higher fiber content, lower glycemic index carbohydrates. A number of other studies that have used this CGM monitoring technique have revealed that the glycemic index level in a diet was more consistently correlated to glycemic variability than calories or carbohydrates.
Q: What is the key take-away for people managing their diabetes?
A: Well, something important to know is that the participants of this study had good HbA1c levels to start with, but, as the CGM data revealed, there was room for improvement in their day-to-day glycemic variability. They were able to achieve this improvement with the Nutrisystem D program. When we add this to other research on Nutrisystem D, it suggests that the program helps people reduce not just their A1C, but also their glycemic variability – two independent risk factors for diabetes-related complications.
