Mechanistic studies of lifestyle interventions in type 2 diabetes.

Aim: To investigate the effect of lifestyle interventions in the non-pharmacological management of type 2 diabetes via a mechanistic approach.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was carried out on 60 type 2 diabetic male and female volunteers that fulfilled the inclusion criteria, with their proper consent and permission of the International Electrotechnical Commission for 1 year. 30 patients were included in the test group and 30 patients in the control group. Demographic details, anthropometrical status, physical activity, food habits and blood glucose lipid profile of the volunteers were recorded at baseline, the test group was directed for lifestyle intervention and final blood glucose lipid data were collected at the end of one year of patient follow-up.

Results: After 1 year, the test group who had a lifestyle intervention was found to show a significant improvement in blood glucose lipid profile. The fasting plasma glucose level (FPG), postprandial plasma glucose level (PPG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and body mass index (BMI) values of the test group were reduced significantly, up to 145 ± 2.52, 174 ± 2.59, 6.3 ± 0.32 and 25 ± 0.41 respectively at the end of the study period, in comparison to the control group where FPG, PPG, HbA1c and BMI values were 193 ± 3.36, 249 ± 4.24, 7.2 ± 0.42 and 26 ± 0.65 respectively. Improvement in the total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) values of the test group was also remarkable in comparison to the control group. The TC, TG, HDL and LDL values of the test group were reduced significantly, up to 149 ± 3.32, 124 ± 2.16, 58 ± 0.62 and 118 ± 2.31, respectively.

Conclusion: The significant improvement in the blood glucose lipid profile of the test group after 1 year signifies the value of non-pharmacological management of type 2 diabetes via lifestyle intervention strategies.