Lipid metabolism and new dietetic recommendations in diabetes mellitus

: Abnormalities of plasma lipids are highly prevalent in both types of diabetes, but there are important quantitative and qualitative differences that this paper reviews. The importance of abnormalities in lipoprotein metabolism as determinant of vascular risk in general population is similar in diabetes, where there is chronic hyperglycemia associated, but it is considered as an independent vascular risk factor. People with IDDM in adequate glycemic control generally have plasma lipid concentrations in normal levels, but in NIDDM, even in good glycemic control, there are another factors associated and usually there are hypertriglyceridemia and total hypercholesterolemia with reduced HDL fraction. Carbohydrate-rich diet increase plasma triglyceride levels and low HDL-cholesterol levels in the majority of studies. Substitute monounsaturated fats in the diet to replace saturated fats lowers total cholesterol and LDL fraction and increase HDL, in addition it acts over others vascular risk factors. These findings were taken into account by ADA and recently revises their 1986 dietary recommendations with the same goals of medical nutrition therapy but with individualized approach appropriate for the personal life style to facilitate adherence to achieve the glycemic, lipid body weight and blood pressure aims with a good quality of live.