[Semifasting and type II diabetes mellitus].

The author discusses the very low calorie diet and its physiopathological effects, in the treatment of NIDDM with obesity. In the latter condition the very low calorie diet can be utilized in order to obtain the desired body weight decrease, and consequently to improve glucose tolerance; however, this goal can only be reached by including in the diet sufficient amounts of carbohydrates, and by following some identified parameters of the treated patient.