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Do all patients with type 2 diabetes need breakfast?
T Parkner1, J K Nielsen, T D Sandahl
1Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark. tparkner@dadlnet.dk
Objectives:
To evaluate if an improved daily glycemic profile could be achieved in patients with type 2 diabetes by withholding breakfast, but maintaining the same total daily intake of calorie and the same composition of carbohydrates, fat and protein.
Methods:
Thirteen type 2 diabetic patients participated in this randomized crossover study. Following an initial fasting night the study consisted of 4 consecutive days. Patients were randomized to diets including breakfast days 1 and 3, and excluding breakfast days 2 and 4, or vice versa.
Results:
The mean plasma glucose level was 0.24 mmol/l higher after the breakfast diet compared with the non-breakfast diet, but reflected only a tendency (P=0.066). The standard deviation based on plasma glucose was 32% higher after the breakfast diet compared with the non-breakfast diet (P<0.0001).
Conclusions:
Not all patients with type 2 diabetes may need breakfast. Moreover, a non-breakfast diet reduces glycemic variability.
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