High carbohydrate diet in the management of non-obese non-insulin-dependent Nigerian diabetics.

Over a 3-year period, 160 new, non-obese, non-insulin-dependent Nigerian diabetics were managed with high carbohydrate diets (250 g-300 g daily) and oral hypoglycaemic drugs. Fifty-three patients (33.1 per cent) achieved excellent control of their blood glucose (mean fasting blood glucose of 7.0 mmol/l or less); 38 patients (23.8 per cent) achieved good control of their blood glucose (mean fasting blood glucose of 7.0-8.0 mmol/l); and 42 patients (26.3 per cent) achieved fair control of their blood glucose (mean fasting blood, glucose of 8.0-9.0 mmol/l). A total of 133 patients (83.1 per cent) therefore achieved satisfactory control of their blood glucose with mean fasting blood glucose levels of 9.0 mmol/l or less. In Nigeria where the staple diets of the population are high in carbohydrate but low in protein and fat, the management of diabetes mellitus has many problems. To reduce carbohydrate and increase protein intake is often expensive, and increased fat intake is unpalatable. We conclude that despite a high carbohydrate diet, the majority of non-obese, non-insulin-dependent Nigerian diabetics can achieve good blood glucose control. The high carbohydrate diet may even be beneficial to the patients.