Browsing by Author "Manzini, R.S."

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    Lifestyle factors and nutritional analysis of a low carbohydrate high fat diet in type 2 diabetics
    (University of Zululand, 2021) Manzini, R.S.
    Introduction Over 450 million people are diabetic worldwide, with type 2 diabetes accounting for more than 90% of all diabetes cases. Type 2 diabetes is characterised by uncontrolled hyperglycaemia due to high concentrations of glucose in the bloodstream, which is caused by the failure of muscle cells to respond to insulin. This condition, known as insulin resistance, is where a high concentration of glucose results from pancreatic β-cells working overtime to compensate for the insulin that could not be utilised. People with type 2 diabetes are prone to experience many health problems such as blurred vision, kidney failure and stroke. The current approach to diabetes management is mainly focused on the utilisation of medicine, which can have adverse health effects. Therefore, this study has employed a lifestyle modification and nutrition therapy approach based on current diabetes management recommendations. These approaches have been found to effectively manage type 2 diabetes mellitus without posing severe health risks. The main objectives of the study were to assess lifestyle factors and analyse the nutritional content of a Low Carbohydrate High Fat (LCHF) diet as followed by type 2 diabetics. Methodology This study was quantitative and followed an experimental research design comprising of an experimental group and a control group. A self-selection method was used to recruit participants. The study commenced at baseline where different lifestyle practices including smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity as well as anthropometric characteristics were assessed. This was then followed by a 16-week experiment where the LCHF diet was prescribed to participants in the experimental group. Food diaries, containing guidelines about food choices, were provided to be completed at home after each meal. The food diaries were completed for weeks 1, 5, 9 and 13, while anthropometric features (body mass index and waistto-hip ratio) were routinely measured in weeks 4, 8, 12 and 16. The baseline data were then entered into SPSS Version 25 for statistical analysis, and Nutritics version 5.096 software was used to analyse the nutritional content of the diets. Results More than 66% of the participants did not follow any dietary guidelines and mostly consumed carbohydrate-rich foods, including sauces and spices (high in salt), flesh-meat, oils and fats, sugar and sweets, and vegetables. However, they also consumed fewer kilojoules than the ABSTRACT Abstract ___________________________________________________________________________ v recommended daily intakes for an adult (i.e. between 987.32 and 1 363.3 kcal). More than 51.3% of participants consumed alcohol and 20.5% smoked cigarettes. Fifty-one percent (51%) were engaged in physical activity, with a mean BMI of 32.9 kg/m2 for males and 36.7 kg/m2 for females, indicating overweight and obesity. The average waist-to-hip ratio for males was 1.02 and 0.85 for females, frequently associated with diabetes. The nutritional analysis of the diet included seven (7) micronutrients and three (3) macronutrients including four (4) fatty acids. The results indicated that both the experimental and the control group had an overall low magnesium intake, with a statistically significant value of P<0.001. Compared to the recommended dietary allowance, the sodium intake was higher for both groups (P>0.05 & P<0.001). They also had a higher vitamin B12 intake, with a P-value less than 0.05. The intake of iron was within the recommended range for a control group (P<0.001). The experimental group had selenium and vitamin A intake within the recommended range (P<0.001 & P<0.05), while both groups had zinc intake within the recommended range. The control group had a low carbohydrate intake, with a P-value less than 0.05. Both groups had low monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat intake (P<0.001) contrary to what would have been expected in the experimental group. Protein intake and cholesterol were within the recommended intake for the control group, with a statistically significant value less than 0.001 for all participants, while all of the participants in the experimental group had a high protein intake (P<0.001). Both groups had a total fat and saturated fat intake within the recommended range. Conclusion and recommendations A high BMI and a low waist-to-hip ratio pose a greater risk of chronic diseases. Exercising is essential for the improvement of overall health, therefore it is highly recommended. As much as one would expect weight loss following the LCHFD, there was no significant weight loss in the experimental group in the study, which could be an indication that either they did not follow the prescribed diet, or the time frame for the study was too short. Participants need to cut down on sodium intake and increase their intake of iron, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Diabetics need to be mindful of their diet, and if uncertain about what to eat, they should visit a dietitian for advice. Since the LCHF diet did not yield significant benefits for the participants in the experimental group it may be recommended that a balanced diet, with reduced intake of refined starches, in combination with exercise should still be recommended to diabetics.