DIETARY INTERVENTIONS FOR MANAGEMENT OF TYPE 2 DIABETES AND REDUCED MEDICATION RELIANCE: A REVIEW

Abstract

The objectiveof this paper is to examine the efficacy of dietaryinterventions for type 2 diabetes management resulting in reduced dependence of pharmacological agents.In the US, type 2 diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death and is at high risk in individuals over the age of 45 who are overweight, physically inactive, and have a family history of type 2diabetes. Management of type 2 diabetes is primarily centered around antidiabetic medication or insulin, coupled with lifestyle changes such as dietary interventions and frequent exercise. The price of medication has proven to be increasingly costly and heavy reliance on medication can pose its own issues with adherence. While there is no cure for type 2 diabetes, numerous studies suggest effective management of the condition is possible without medication. A search was conducted in the PubMed and University of Arizona library databases for randomized clinical trials on dietary interventions for management of type 2 diabetes published from 2015-February 2021resulting in reduced medication need or delayed medication initiation. This review concludes that good glycemic control is attainable with a Mediterranean, low carbohydrate, or low-calorie diet in the absence of pharmacological agents.