Improved metabolic control after 12-week dietary intervention with low glycaemic isomalt in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The polyol isomalt (Palatinit) is a very low glycaemic sugar replacer. The effect of food supplemented with isomalt instead of higher glycaemic ingredients like sucrose and/or starch hydrolysates on metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes was examined in this open study. Thirty-three patients with type 2 diabetes received a diet with foods containing 30 g/d isomalt instead of higher-glycaemic carbohydrates for 12 weeks. Metformin and/or thiazolidindiones were the only concomitant oral antidiabetics allowed during the study. Otherwise, the participants maintained their usual diet during the test phase, but were instructed to refrain from additional sweetened foods. Before start, after 6 weeks and 12 weeks (completion of the study), blood samples were taken and analysed for clinical routine parameters, metabolic, and risk markers. Thirty-one patients completed the study. The test diet was well accepted and tolerated. After 12 weeks, significant reductions were observed for: glycosylated haemoglobin, fructosamine, fasting blood glucose, insulin, proinsulin, C-peptide, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and oxidised LDL (an atherosclerosis risk factor). In addition, significant lower nonesterified fatty acid concentrations were found in female participants. Routine blood measurements and blood lipids remained unchanged. The substitution of glycaemic ingredients by isomalt and the consequent on reduction of the glycaemic load within otherwise unchanged diet was accompanied by significant improvement in the metabolic control of diabetes. The present study is in agreement with findings of previous reported studies in human subjects demonstrating beneficial effects of low glycaemic diets on glucose metabolism in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2.

Utilização clínica da goma de mascar com xilitol / Clinical utilization of chewing gum with xylitol

A doença cárie é infectocontagiosa, de origem multifatorial, que ocorre devido à interação de três fatores: micro-organismos, hospedeiro e dieta. E a sua prevenção consiste na interferência em pelo menos um destes fatores. Efeitos anticariogênicos dos substitutos da sacarose vêm sendo estudados como forma de prevenção e controle da doença. Essa substituição se dá pela utilização de alcoóis que possuemdoçura similar, como por exemplo o xilitol, sorbitol, entre outros. Estudos mostram que o xilitol pode ser utilizado ®=-r-n várias formas: goma de mascar, soluções para bochecho, balas e dentifrícios. O objetivo deste estudo é descrever, por meio de uma revisão da literatura especializada, como o xilitol, na forma de goma de mascar, pode ser utilizado como agente anticariogênico. O uso de gomas de mascar com xilitol, associada às outras estratégias de controle da doença cárie, tal como modificação da dieta, uso de fluoretos, apresenta uma ação mais abrangente; podendo ser utilizada individualmente ou em saúde pública, sendo eficaz na redução dos níveis salivares e no biofilme dentário de EGM.