New research presented at NUTRITION 2024 suggests that adhering to the Mediterranean diet or the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet could significantly lower cardiovascular disease risk among adults with type 1 diabetes. The findings, presented by Arpita Basu, PhD, RD, associate professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, underscore the potential benefits of these dietary patterns in managing health outcomes for this population.
Both the DASH and Mediterranean diets are recognized for their heart-healthy attributes, emphasizing plant-based foods, healthy fats, lean proteins, and minimal processed foods and sugars. This dietary approach is particularly crucial for individuals with type 1 diabetes, who face heightened risks of cardiovascular complications such as heart attacks and strokes.
“We aimed to investigate how regular dietary habits influence blood inflammatory markers associated with cardiovascular disease risk in adults with type 1 diabetes,” explained Dr. Basu.
The six-year study, involving 1,255 adults including 563 with type 1 diabetes, utilized food frequency questionnaires to assess dietary intake across various food groups. The researchers evaluated adherence to the Mediterranean diet, the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), and the DASH diet, correlating these patterns with cardiovascular disease markers like C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and homocysteine (Hcy).
“Our findings indicate that diets closely aligned with the DASH and Mediterranean patterns were associated with lower levels of Hcy and PAI-1,” Dr. Basu noted. These associations remained significant after adjusting for factors such as BMI, age, caloric intake, blood lipids, blood pressure, smoking, and physical activity levels.
The study highlights the practical implications of these dietary recommendations, suggesting that integrating components of the Mediterranean diet – such as olives and nuts – into daily consumption could benefit adults with type 1 diabetes, even if complete dietary overhaul proves challenging.
Dr. Basu will present these findings at the Nutritional Epidemiology poster session on June 30, emphasizing the need for improved dietary quality and tailored interventions for individuals managing type 1 diabetes.
This research underscores the potential of dietary interventions in mitigating cardiovascular risks associated with type 1 diabetes, offering actionable insights for clinical practice and public health strategies.
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