Top diet and nutrition news of 2019: Hydrogel pill, fasting, keto diet medication changes
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Low-carb, ketogenic, Mediterranean, time-restricted, alternate-day fasting — Healio readers were interested in the effects of different eating plans on weight loss and cardiometabolic measures. Also, different exercise programs may benefit different people, but it’s never too late to start.
Exercise and cardiometabolic health: ‘Never too late to start exercising’
Exercise provides important and varied benefits for individuals with cardiometabolic disorders regardless of experience level, and certain exercise types may yield better outcomes for those with certain conditions.
FDA approves hydrogel pill for overweight, obesity
The oral capsule, (Plenity, Gelesis100), a first-in-class hydrogel matrix containing cellulose and citric acid, is the first obesity treatment the FDA has approved for adults with a BMI as low as 25 kg/m², with or without comorbidities.
Multiple type 2 diabetes benefits achievable through low-carb diets
Adults with type 2 diabetes can experience multiple diabetes-specific benefits beyond weight loss by undertaking a low-carbohydrate diet, although potential risks must be addressed.
Consistent, 10-hour daily eating window benefits adults with metabolic syndrome
Adults with metabolic syndrome, even those prescribed antihypertensive and statin drugs, who consistently limited food and beverage consumption to the same daily 10-hour period for 12 weeks experienced improvements in body composition, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Alternate-day fasting cuts insulin levels, resistance in half
Eating only every other day lowered levels of fasting insulin and insulin resistance to a greater degree than calorie restriction among adults with overweight or obesity and insulin resistance.
Despite similar weight loss, low-carbohydrate diet delivers insulin reductions, smaller fat cells than low-fat diet
Eating plans low in carbohydrates result in smaller fat cells vs. low-fat/higher-carbohydrate plans after similar weight loss, which may yield better metabolic health.
Ketogenic, low-carb diets require diabetes medication adjustments
Consider these medication revisions for adults with diabetes who adopt a ketogenic or other low-carb eating plan that can affect glucose levels and blood pressure.
Mediterranean diet with behavioral support improves meal plan adherence, CV risk factors
Adults with metabolic syndrome assigned to a reduced-calorie Mediterranean diet plan with physical activity and behavioral support were more likely to stick with the program, report better diet quality and reduce their cardiovascular risk factors.
Replace diet discussions with focus on mindful eating
Balanced eating plus consistent carbs is a challenging message to communicate during a brief office visit. Shifting the conversation away from restrictive diets toward mindful eating helps move the relationship with food from adversarial to nourishing.
Glycemic benefit more robust with less-processed whole-grain breads
Adults with type 2 diabetes may derive superior glycemic benefits from eating breads with larger vs. smaller whole-grain particles.