The effect of the macrobiotic Ma-Pi 2 diet vs. the recommended diet in the management of type 2 diabetes: the randomized controlled MADIAB trial
Read full paper →- Authors
- Andreea Soare, Yeganeh Manon Khazrai, Rossella Del Toro, Elena Roncella, Lucia Fontana, Sara Fallucca, Silvia Angeletti, Valeria Formisano, Francesca Capata, Vladimir Ruiz, Carmen Porrata, Edlira Skrami, Rosaria Gesuita, Silvia Manfrini, F. Fallucca, Mario Pianesi, Paolo Pozzilli
- Journal
- Nutrition & Metabolism
- Year
- 2014
- Citations
- 41
TL;DR
A 21-day randomized controlled trial found that a macrobiotic Ma-Pi 2 diet led to significantly greater improvements in fasting and post-meal blood glucose, HbA1c, insulin resistance, cholesterol, and anthropometrics compared to a standard recommended diet for type 2 diabetes, suggesting it could be a powerful short-term dietary intervention for self-experimenters managing their condition.
What they tested
This study investigated the effects of a specific dietary approach, the **macrobiotic Ma-Pi 2 diet**, on metabolic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes. The Ma-Pi 2 diet was compared against a **standard diet** typically recommended by professional societies for the management of type 2 diabetes.
The researchers measured several outcomes to assess the diets' effectiveness:
**Primary Outcomes (most important measures):**
* **Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG):** The level of glucose in the blood after a period of not eating (typically overnight).
* **Post-Prandial Blood Glucose (PPBG):** The level of glucose in the blood after a meal.
**Secondary Outcomes (additional important measures):**
* **HbA1c:** A measure of average blood glucose levels over the past two to three months.
* **Insulin Resistance (IR):** A condition where the body's cells don't respond well to insulin, leading to higher blood glucose.
* **Lipid Panel:** A group of tests that measure fats and fat-like substances in the blood, including:
* Total Cholesterol
* LDL Cholesterol (often called "bad" cholesterol)
* HDL Cholesterol (often called "good" cholesterol)
* LDL/HDL Ratio
* Triglycerides (another type of fat in the blood)
* **Anthropometrics:** Body measurements, including:
* Body Mass Index (BMI)
* Body Weight
* Waist Circumference
* Hip Circumference
The study aimed to determine if the Ma-Pi 2 diet could offer superior benefits for these markers of diabetes management compared to conventional dietary advice.
Who was studied
The study population consisted of **patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes**. The abstract does not specify the exact number of participants enrolled in the trial, nor does it provide details on their age range, gender distribution, or other demographic characteristics. The setting where the study took place (e.g., hospital, clinic, community) is also not mentioned