Original Research
Effects of Changing the Amount and Source of Dietary Carbohydrates
on Symptoms and Dietary Satisfaction Over a 1-Year Period in Subjects
with Type 2 Diabetes: Canadian Trial of Carbohydrates in Diabetes (CCD)
Thomas M.S. Wolever MD, PhD
a,b,
*, Jean-Louis Chiasson MD
c
, Robert G. Josse MD
a,b
,
Lawrence A. Leiter MD
a,b
, Pierre Maheux MD
d
, Rémi Rabasa-Lhoret MD
e
, N. Wilson Rodger MD
f
,
Edmond A. Ryan MD
g
a
Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
b
Department of Medicine, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
c
Research Center (CHUM) Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal, University of Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
d
Department of Medicine, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
e
IRCM (Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal), Montréal, Québec, Canada
f
Department of Medicine, St. Joseph’s Health Centre, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
g
Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
article info
Article history:
Received 7 January 2015
Received in revised form
20 July 2016
Accepted 22 August 2016
Keywords:
diet
dietary satisfaction
glycemic index
quality of life
randomized controlled clinical trial
symptoms
abstract
Objectives: To determine the long-term effects of changing the amount or source of dietary carbohy-
drate on quality of life (QOL), symptoms and dietary satisfaction in people with type 2 diabetes.
Methods: Subjects with diabetes treated by diet alone (n=162) were randomly assigned to high-carbohydrate/
high-glycemic-index (HGI) diets; high-carbohydrate/low-glycemic-index (LGI) diets; or lower-carbohydrate/
high-monounsaturated-fat (LC) diets for 1 year. We measured QOL at baseline and at study’s end, and
we measured symptoms and dietary satisfaction quarterly.
Results: The HGI, LGI and LC diets contained, respectively, 47±1, 52±1 and 40±1% energy carbohydrate;
30±1, 27±1 and 40±1% fat with GI 64±0.4, 55±0.4 and 59±0.4. Significantly more participants reported
increased flatulence on LGI than on LC and HGI diets at 3 months (41%, 19%, 14%; p<0.05), but not at
12 months (29%, 17%, 17%; ns). Abdominal distension was more severe (46% vs. 14%, 19%; p<0.05), and
headache less severe (8% vs. 22%, 23%; p<0.05) on LGI than on both other diets. Increased appetite was
more severe on LC (33%) than on HGI diets (14%, p<0.05). Joint/limb pains were less severe on LGI (16%)
than HGI (28%) diets. LC elicited more severe gloomy thoughts (23%) than LGI (4%; p<0.05) but greater
dietary-satisfaction (70%; p<0.05) than LGI (40%) and HGI (48%) diets. For all diets, glycated hemoglobin
(A1C) levels increased less in those who gained less weight, had less increased appetite and were more
satisfied with the enjoyment obtained from eating.
Conclusions: Each diet elicited increased severity of 1 or more symptoms than the other diets. Although
overall dietary satisfaction was greater on the 40% carbohydrate diet than on the 50% carbohydrate diet,
the LGI diet was no less satisfying than the HGI diet. Changes in appetite and dietary satisfaction may
influence body weight and glycemic control, or vice-versa.
© 2016 Canadian Diabetes Association.
Mots clés :
régime alimentaire
satisfaction alimentaire
indice glycémique
qualité de vie
essai clinique à répartition aléatoire
symptômes
résumé
Objectifs : Déterminer les effets à long terme de la modification de la quantité ou de la source des glucides
alimentaires sur la qualité de vie (QdV), les symptômes et la satisfaction alimentaire chez les personnes
atteintes du diabète de type 2.
Méthodes : Les sujets diabétiques traités par le régime alimentaire seul (n=162) ont été répartis de manière
aléatoire entre les régimes à haute teneur en glucides/à indice glycémique élevé (IGÉ), les régimes à haute
teneur en glucides/à indice glycémique faible (IGF) ou les régimes à plus faible teneur en glucides/à forte
teneur en gras mono-insaturés (FTG) durant 1 année. Nous avons mesuré la QdV au début et à la fin de
l’étude, et mesuré les symptômes et la satisfaction alimentaire tous les 3 mois.
* Address for correspondence: Thomas M.S. Wolever, MD, PhD, Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E2, Canada.
E-mail address: thomas.wolever@utoronto.ca
Can J Diabetes xxx (2016) 1–13
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Canadian Journal of Diabetes
journal homepage:
www.canadianjournalofdiabetes.com
1499-2671 © 2016 Canadian Diabetes Association.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjd.2016.08.223
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