The Relationship Between Vegetables and Fruits Intake and Glycosylated Hemoglobin Values, Lipids Profiles and Nitrogen Status in Type II Inactive Diabetic Patients

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity and associated chronic disease such as diabetes is rapidly increasing in all part of the world. The World Health Organization has predicted that between 1997 and 2025 the number of diabetic patients will increase from 143 million to about 300 million. In diabetic patients, oxidative stress leads to non-enzymatic glycosylation of proteins such as hemoglobin and albumin, these proteins can play a significant role in pathogenesis of diabetes and development of chronic disorders in diabetic patients. Antioxidant nutrients can reduce the chronic disorders and complications of diabetes by inhibiting the oxidative reactions. Some important antioxidant such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium occur in vegetables and fruits. Our objective of this study was investigation of the relationship between vegetables and fruits intake ssand glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) values in diabetic patients. METHODS: One hundred and five diabetic patients participated in this cross-sectional study. The patients were referred to health center in Khomeini shahr. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) values were measured by chromatography method. Data on dietary intake and vegetables and fruits consumption were obtained from validated food frequency questionnaires. RESULTS: The unadjusted mean glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) is significantly associated with the amount of vegetables and fruits intake (P = 0.014), but the relationship between consumption of fruits and HbA1C is not significant and the relationship between consumption of vegetables and HbA1C was roughly significant (P = 0.049). There were no significant relationship between vegetables and fruits intake and lipids profiles, BUN/creatinine and 24 h urinary protein (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Intake of vegetables and fruits may reduce the glycosylated hemoglobin, therefore choosing the appropriate diet with high fruits and vegetables may help to develop antioxidant defense and reduce the HbA1C in diabetic patients but it did not have any impact on lipids profiles, BUN/creatinine and urine protein 24 h.