EFFECT OF A HIGH-MONOUNSATURATED FAT DIET ENRICHED WITH AVOCADO IN NIDDM PATIENTS

OBJECTIVE - To assess the effects of two controlled diets, one rich in oleic acid obtained from avocado and olive oil and the other rich in complex carbohydrates, on fasting and postprandial serum lipids and gl ycemic control in 12 women with NIDDM. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - A randomized crossover study was designed. During a 4-week baseline per iod, all patients received the isocaloric diets recommended by the Ame rican Diabetes Association. After this period the patients were random ly assigned to receive the two study diets alternately during two 4-we ek periods. One diet was high in monounsaturated fatty acids (HMUFA) a nd the other was high in complex carbohydrates (high-CHO). There also was a 4-week washout period in between the two 4-week periods during w hich the patients followed the American Diabetes Association's isocalo ric diet. Blood samples were obtained before and after each dietary pe riod. RESULTS - Both diets had a minor hypocholesterolemic effect with no major changes in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The HMUFA d iet was associated with a greater decrement in plasma triglycerides (2 0 vs. 7% in the high-CHO diet). Glycemic control was similar with both diets. CONCLUSIONS - Partial replacement of complex digestible carboh ydrates with monounsaturated fatty acids (avocado as one of its main s ources) in the diet of patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes me llitus improves the lipid profile favorably, mantains an adequate glyc emic control, and offers a good management alternative.