The DDG clinical practice guidelines are updated regularly during the second half
of the calendar year. Please ensure that you read and cite the respective
current version.
UPDATES TO CONTENT AND DIFFERENT RECOMMENDATIONS COMPARED TO THE PREVIOUS
YEARʼS VERSION
Change 1:
rtCGM and scCGM combined as CGM systems
Reason:
A distinction no longer makes sense in this context
Change 2:
Supplementary comment on "Eating patterns"
Reason:
Increasing findings in T1Dm in the context of a vegetarian/vegan diet
ADI Acceptable Daily Intake
AID Automatic Insulin Dosing
AHEI Alternative Healthy Eating Index
BMI Body mass index
BW Body Weight
CGM Continuous Glucose Monitoring
CHO Carbohydrates
CSII Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion
CU Carbohydrate unit
d Day
DASH Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension
DHS Deutsche Hauptstelle für Suchtfragen e.V. (German Central Office for
Addiction Issues e.V.)
EFSA European Food Safety Authority
EN% Energy Percent
GI Glycaemic Index
HDL High-Density Lipoprotein
HEI Healthy Eating Index
ICT Intensified conventional insulin therapy
kcal Kilocalories
LDL Low-Density Lipoprotein
MNA Mini Nutritional Assessment
MUFAs Monounsaturated Fatty Acids
PUFAs Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids
RCFAs Red Cell phospholipid Fatty Acids
RCT Randomised Controlled Trials
SFAs Saturated Fatty Acids
T1Dm Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
T2Dm Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
WHO World Health Organization
WPFD Whole Plant Food Density
Introduction
This clinical practice guideline is aimed at all people with type 1 diabetes (T1Dm)
and all professional groups that care for people with T1Dm.
In accordance with the demand for individualisation of therapy, counselling,
empowerment and diabetes self-management [1]
[2] and in view of the Consensus Report “Nutrition
Therapy for Adults with Diabetes or Prediabetes” [3]
[4] the DDGʼs Nutrition Committee has
set itself the goal of developing evidence-based practical recommendations on
nutrition that are specific to target groups for to present the different
(sub-)types of diabetes mellitus. In the clinical practice guidelines on diet in
T1Dm presented here, it is clear that the evidence for general recommendations is
limited. Individual testing (CGM) of the glycaemic effects of food intake is
important in many aspects of nutrition. These determined empirical values – in
addition to the patientʼs own food preferences – provide a suitable basis for
individual food selection and the appropriate strategy for insulin application.
Nutritional aspects in relation to glycaemia and glycaemic target
parameters
Nutritional aspects in relation to glycaemia and glycaemic target
parameters
Estimation of carbohydrate quantities
Recommendation
Patients should
-
Be able to correctly estimate the amount of carbohydrates (CHO)
ingested per meal to an accuracy of 1 carbohydrate unit (CU),
equivalent to 10 g of CHO (as a basis for algorithm-guided dosing of
prandial insulin),
-
Know their individual postprandial glucose trends,
-
Repeat testing of a standardised meal, ideally via CGM.
Comment
Although there are few evidence-based studies available, it is of crucial
importance for the treatment of T1Dm that patients are able to assess the
glucose efficacy of their diet in order to adjust insulin dosage accordingly
[5]
[6]
[7]. Repeated structured
training courses should create the basis for this [5]
[7].
There is no recommendation on the amount of carbohydrates and must be
considered individually [6]
[7]. CGM data can help when choosing the
optimal bolus variant or the correct injection-to-meal interval [8]. In the case of gastroparesis, the
control of different bolus variants can ensure an individually adapted
trend. Patients on fixed doses and pregnant women in particular need to
estimate the correct amount of CHO in their meal [6].
Especially for children and adolescents, an individualised diet and the
corresponding monitoring and adjustment of the insulin dose algorithms can
lead to better acceptance of the disease. Currently, estimating the consumed
carbohydrate (CHO) amounts is also recommended when using AID (Automatic
Insulin Dosing) systems – with preprandial input of the CHO amount into the
system. Metabolizing the carbohydrate uptake solely via the AID
autocorrection cannot be recommended at present despite extensive
experience. The currently-available systems are also not approved for this.
In the event of an AID system failure, the correct estimation of CHO
quantities must be taught and mastered.
There is no hard evidence for assessing carbohydrate units. In a pilot
study, 256 people with T1Dm were divided into two groups: trained and
untrained in nutrition. When comparing the two groups, patients with
training had significantly lower HbA1c (7.8±1.3–7.4±0.9% vs.
7.5±0.8–7.5±1.1) and less hypoglycaemia [9].
In a study of 43 children aged 8.5–17.7 years with intensified
conventional insulin therapy (ICT), postprandial glucose trends were
examined as a function of carbohydrate levels. It was shown that it is
necessary to accurately estimate to within 10 g of carbohydrates to
remain in the postprandial target [10]
[11]. This also applies
to pump therapy.
The importance of this was also demonstrated in a study of 102 children
and adolescents aged 8.3–18.1 years. Here the mean gram error was
negatively significantly correlated with the HbA1c (r=− 0.7).
It was also shown that the longer the children had already calculated
carbohydrates, the greater the mean percentage error (r=0.173). The
authors therefore concluded that children and their caregivers can
estimate well, but that a gram calculation is not better than a portion
calculation. Repeated age-specific training is necessary to reduce the
error rate [12].
Glycaemic Index (GI)
Recommendation
-
The individual testing of the glycaemia response (by glucose
self-monitoring) to the preferred foods and meals is of great
importance in order to develop and implement an adequate individual
prandial insulin application strategy (e. g. via injection timing
and mode of application in continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion
[CSII]).
-
There is no evidence that generally giving preference to low GI
carbohydrate carriers helps people with T1Dm achieve their therapy
targets.
-
For individual meals, it is recommended to cover carbohydrate-rich
foods with a low GI (below approx. 30) with significantly less
prandial insulin in order to prevent hypoglycaemia, especially in
the case of an almost normoglycaemic metabolic control.
Comment
There are many GI tables in circulation, but only a few are published in
scientific papers [13]
[14]
[15].
In order to assess the GI, it should be taken into account that the GI
values are basically average values from several studies. Variety, degree of
ripeness, place of cultivation/production and, if applicable, recipe of a
food item all have a decisive influence on the GI. For bananas, for example,
an average GI of 48 (ref. glucose=100%; volunteers: T2Dm) is reported – with
a range of GI 30 to GI 58 for the 9 studies considered [13]. For cooked white rice (mean GI: 59),
the range even goes from GI 43 to GI 112 [13].
Studies of adults with T1Dm under experimental conditions that
compared the blood glucose response to (single) whole meals with low vs.
high GI [16]
[17]
[18] have found
significantly lower blood glucose responses after low GI meals and observed
hypoglycaemia when low GI carbohydrate carriers (lentils) are covered with
the usual dose of mealtime insulin [16].
Medium- and long-term studies on the effects of an average low-GI diet vs. an
average high-GI diet in adults with T1Dm under everyday conditions
are scarce; they date back mainly to the 1990s and had few participants
[17]
[19].
In a meta-analysis from 2010 [20], 2
studies in adults with T1Dm were included; however, they exhibit
methodological deficiencies and are not relevant for statements on GI [21]
[22].
A more recent review on the relevance of GI in adults from 2018 did not
include people with T1Dm [23].
No favourable recommendations could be derived for children and
adolescents with T1Dm
[24]
[25]
[26].
A study from 2001 [27] which is often used
as an argument for the advantage of a low-GI diet, was not justified, as the
study did not intend to compare a low-GI diet with a high-GI diet, but
primarily compared a diet with a fixed carbohydrate distribution (“CU
framework”) vs. a diet with flexible CHO intake and found identical values
for the mean GI of the carbohydrate carriers consumed.
Foods with a very low GI (below approx. 30: e. g. pulses, nuts) should be
covered with less prandial insulin to avoid hypoglycaemia in the case of
almost normoglycaemic preprandial blood glucose values, while foods with a
very high GI (especially sugar-sweetened drinks) are more likely to be
reserved for self-treatment of hypoglycaemia.
Individual testing of the glycaemic response (through glucose
self-monitoring) to the preferred foods and meals is of great
importance, similar to finding an optimal personal strategy for
physical activity in diabetes.
The evaluation of postprandial glucose trends via CGM can help to select the
appropriate insulin dose and bolus variant or injection-to-meal interval.
People with ICT therapy can act with the options of injection-to-meal
intervals or split boluses. People with CSII therapy can act via dual
boluses/multiwave boluses or delayed boluses and injection-to-meal
intervals. Basic criteria for the decision are initial glucose levels,
carbohydrate amounts (CU) and the GI of the food. (Night-time) hypoglycaemic
events resulting from evening meals with a very low GI must be
prevented.
In practice, it has proven to be useful to vary the time of injection or, in
the case of CSII, the insulin application mode for certain foods and
starting situations according to personal experience.
Insulin requirements for protein and fat-rich meals
Recommendation
-
There is no evidence that people with T1Dm generally estimate their
meals quantitatively for energy, fat and protein content in order to
derive an additional insulin bolus.
-
The blood glucose response to very high-fat or high-protein meals
varies from person to person and should be determined and documented
by self-monitoring. On this basis, an additional insulin requirement
may be developed individually.
-
Increasing the prandial insulin dose for high-protein evening meals
increases the risk of night-time hypoglycaemia.
-
People with T1Dm should be able to assess the effect of fats and
proteins on glucose levels.
Comment
Protein-rich meals also result in a certain insulin requirement and can lead
to postprandial delayed and sustained hyperglycaemia [28]
[29]
[30]. With a carbohydrate
intake of about 50 energy percent (EN%) and the remaining distribution to
fat and protein, about 50% of the total insulin is distributed to the
fast-acting mealtime insulin and 50% is covered by the basal supply. People
with T1Dm who have a low carb diet have a correspondingly higher basal rate
and a lower proportion of mealtime insulin. However, there are situations in
which low carbohydrates, high fat and protein are eaten with the main meal
or in which a high proportion of fat and protein is ingested in the evening
in the form of nuts, for example. In these cases, a simple bolus via
mealtime insulin is usually not sufficient. One way to cover the slow
glucose increase as a result of such meals would be, for example, a
correction with fast-acting mealtime insulin at a later time. With CSII
therapy, it would also be possible to give a delayed bolus. In order to know
how much bolus to give, the FPU (fat-protein unit) was propagated as a
measure.
According to Pankowska, 100 kcal of fat and protein are calculated as one CU
and, depending on the amount of FPU, are delivered as a delayed bolus for a
maximum of 8 h [28]
[31]. In practice and in various studies,
however, it has been observed that this formula cannot be used equally well
for all people with T1Dm. In a paper by Hermann, a calculation with 200 kcal
corresponding to one CU was compared [32].
This paper confirmed that hardly any formula can be applied equally well to
everyone. The same result was also obtained in a pilot study with nuts [33]. Glucose increases can be observed
after eating foods rich in fat and protein, but the insulin dose must be
determined and learned individually. Increasing the prandial insulin dose
for high-protein evening meals increases the risk of night-time
hypoglycaemia.
Fibre and glycaemic control
Recommendation
-
There is not yet sufficient evidence that people with T1Dm should eat
a high-fibre diet to achieve their glycaemic therapy target.
-
Possible effects of a fibre-rich diet on other health-promoting
aspects (e. g. cardiovascular diseases, intestinal health, weight
management) should be considered separately and individually.
-
The increased consumption of high-fibre foods seems to have a
positive effect on the trend of postprandial glycaemia, but the
recommendations for fibre intake are based on those for the general
population (30 g per day).
Comment
The German Nutrition Society (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung) recommends
a daily intake of at least 30 g of dietary fibre for the general population,
which is not achieved by the average German population [34]. So far, there are no evidence-based
recommendations for a certain amount of dietary fibre in diabetes.
In terms of weight management, dietary fibre plays a strong role, at least in
T2Dm, when consumed as part of a diet that has a low glycaemic index [35]. Dietary fibre contributes to a
reduction in energy density and a decrease in the glycaemic index and
positively modulates the blood glucose profile. Observational studies in
subjects with T1Dm have also shown an association with lower
HbA1c levels [36].
Consumption of sucrose and fructose
Recommendation
-
Beyond the general recommendations, there is no evidence of specific
recommendation for reducing added sucrose in individuals with
T1Dm.
-
Foods containing naturally-occurring sugars (glucose and fructose)
should not be restricted in the diet of people with T1Dm.
-
The evidence base for the recommendation of a reduction of added
fructose is uncertain.
Comment
Due to the limited evidence regarding recommendations for sucrose and
fructose consumption in T1Dm, current evidence-based guidelines generally
recommend that people with diabetes mellitus minimise the intake of these
and replace them with foods with a higher nutrient density [3]
[5]
[6]. Recommendations that
state a suggested upper limit usually set this at 10 EN% for adults and 5
EN% for children > 2 years [47].
However, according to the American Dietetic Associationʼs dietary
recommendations for individuals with T1Dm and T2Dm, a sucrose intake of
10–35 EN% has no negative effects on the glycaemic or lipid response when
sucrose is replaced isocalorically for starch [38].
Use of sweeteners
Recommendation
Comment
In general, research on sweeteners is hampered by the chemical and metabolic
heterogeneity of sweeteners, their at times combined use in different
product groups and the changing trends in consumer behaviour [39]
[40].
Even though the calorie content of some sweeteners is 4 kcal/g, just like
conventional sugar (sucrose), they are only used in very small amounts in
the milligram range due to their high sweetening power, so that calorie
intake is negligible. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) specifies
acceptable daily intake levels (ADIs) in each case, which correspond to the
amount of an additive that can be ingested per kilogram of body weight per
day throughout life without any health risks. Although sweeteners are
therefore considered to be harmless to health according to the current state
of knowledge, possible long-term health consequences in particular have been
repeatedly discussed for many years.
The reservation of an increased cancer risk from sweeteners is mainly based
on older studies, which are based on results from animal experiments.
However, these studies used very high amounts of the sweetener in question,
far in excess of the acceptable daily intake for humans, so that the results
are not transferable to humans. According to recent animal studies and
available human data, there is no evidence of an increased cancer risk from
sweeteners if the ADI values are adhered to [39]
[41].
An increase in weight caused by sweeteners has not yet been scientifically
proven. The clinical studies on this topic sometimes diverge considerably
[42]
[43].
Some observational studies show a positive association between sweetener
consumption and the risk of T2Dm and other cardiometabolic diseases, but the
bias of excess weight and reverse causality is often a problem [39]
[42]
[44]. Regarding the effect
of sweeteners on appetite, intervention studies show that beverages
containing sweeteners have an effect similar to water on appetite and energy
intake [43]
[45]
[46]
[47].
The potential benefit of sweeteners in patients with T1Dm is mainly due to
their use as a substitute for sugar without triggering a glycaemic response.
Despite controversial discussions, current research provides collective
evidence that the consumption of sweeteners has no adverse effects on blood
glucose and insulin regulation (HbA1c, fasting and postprandial
glucose and insulin levels) in people with and without diabetes [43]
[48].
Effective blood glucose foods for hypoglycaemia
Recommendation
-
Persons with T1Dm and mild hypoglycaemia (can be treated by the
patient) should consume 15–20 g of rapidly absorbable carbohydrates.
This measure should be repeated after 15 min if blood glucose
concentrations remain low.
-
Persons with T1Dm and severe hypoglycaemia experiencing confusion or
clouding of consciousness should consume 30 g of rapidly absorbable
carbohydrates. In individual cases, it may be necessary to
supplement with 15–20 g of slowly resorbable carbohydrates.
Comment
Rapid carbohydrates such as oral glucose in solid and liquid form are
particularly suitable for treating hypoglycaemia. Furthermore,
sucrose-containing beverages such as lemonades and juices can be used.
In some cases and depending on the situation, slowly resorbable carbohydrates
can contribute to the stabilisation of blood glucose [5]
[6]
[7].
In order to preventatively avoid hypoglycaemia, in special situations,
rapidly resorbable carbohydrates should be ingested beforehand to increase
the target value and slowly resorbable carbohydrates should be supplemented
to stabilise the trend. The amount should be chosen individually and depend
on the situation. Physical activity and alcohol consumption are classic
situations where consequences can result in hypoglycaemia [5].
People who suffer from severe hypoglycaemia, who can no longer perform
self-therapy or who are unconscious should not be given oral carbohydrates.
In these cases, it is either possible for family members or relatives to
administer glucagon or for professional IV glucose administration. Friends
and family members should be trained in the use of glucagon kits [49].
General nutrition aspects
General nutrition aspects
Protein consumption
Recommendation
Comment
Increased protein consumption has been scientifically studied in people with
type 1 diabetes mellitus, particularly with regard to the acute glycaemic
response [50]. In this context, we refer
to the recommendation in the section on “Insulin requirements for protein
and fat-rich meals”.
No evidence has been shown that increased protein intake leads to positive or
negative effects in people with T1Dm.
A limitation of protein intake has been studied, especially with
regard to slowing the progression of diabetic nephropathy.
In general, randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with intervention times >
6 months show that protein targets < 0.8 g/kg body weight/d are rarely
met – even under study conditions.
In a larger randomised controlled trial, a low-protein diet in people with
T1Dm or T2Dm and nephropathy achieved significant improvements in glomerular
filtration rate when compliance was good [51].
In another methodologically well-conducted study, limited protein intake also
appeared to slow the progression of diabetic nephropathy, but the effects
were not significant. Compliance was also poor in this study and difficult
for patients to maintain. Another study showed no difference in the rate of
progression of diabetic nephropathy with low normal protein intake (0.8 g/kg
body weight, 16 EN%) vs. high normal protein intake (19 EN%) [52].
General nutrition aspects
General nutrition aspects
Fat intake
Recommendation
-
No specific recommendation can be made for the amount of fat intake
in people with T1Dm.
-
Effects of the fatty acid composition (fat quality) on other
health-promoting aspects may need to be considered separately.
However, the fat quality should be in accordance with the
recommendations for the general population.
Comment
For the acute blood glucose response after fat intake, please refer to the
section “Insulin requirements for protein and fat-rich meals”.
The popularity of low-carbohydrate and thus mostly high-fat diets is high.
However, high-fat and low-carbohydrate diets have not been well studied in
the treatment of T1Dm. Studies that looked at glycaemic outcomes from
low-carbohydrate diets were mostly cross-sectional studies without validated
nutritional data and without control groups. Participants were highly
motivated, self-selected individuals who used intensive insulin management
practices, including frequent blood glucose monitoring and additional
insulin corrections with narrow glycaemic targets. For this reason, these
results are not necessarily transferable to patients with type 1 diabetes in
general. Carbohydrate-containing foods such as cereals, fruits and milk are
important sources of nutrients, and such diets require attention to vitamin
and energy intake to avoid micronutrient deficiencies and growth problems in
children. Following restrictive diets is a challenge and can affect social
normalcy. People with T1Dm also theoretically have adverse health risks such
as diabetic ketoacidosis, hypoglycaemia, dyslipidaemia and glycogen
deficiency [53].
In general, high fat intake and low carbohydrate intake are often associated
with a higher BMI in observational studies [54], but this does not lead to the conclusion that low fat and
high carbohydrate intake is generally recommended. The quality of the fats
and carbohydrates consumed is often not addressed in observational studies,
so that it is not taken into account that too much low-quality fat and too
little complex carbohydrates are usually consumed (see also DDG statement on
recommendations of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) 2019 [4]).
Instead, randomised, controlled intervention studies evaluating the quality
of macronutrients should be considered to answer the question of changing
the fat intake for people with T1Dm.
Eating patterns
Recommendation
Comment
A diet based on the Mediterranean diet or the Dietary Approaches to Stop
Hypertension (DASH) diet could help improve glucose metabolism and weight
control and reduce cardiovascular risk factors. However, low-carbohydrate,
vegan/vegetarian, plant-based diets, or a diet rich in legumes can also be
suitable for people with diabetes. Individual preferences, goals and needs
should influence the choice of dietary pattern [5]
[6]
[7]. Even specifically for people with T1Dm, the American Diabetes
Association says that there is insufficient evidence to make one dietary pattern
more recommended than another [5].
In 96 children and adolescents with T1Dm, structured nutritional training for a
Mediterranean diet improved the quality of nutrient intake, followed by an
improvement in serum lipid levels [55]. In a
5-year longitudinal observational study of 500 children and adolescents with
T1Dm, greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet was also associated with
better glycaemic control and better serum lipid levels [56].
However, in a preliminary controlled intervention study in 16 adolescents with
T1Dm, participants on the DASH diet were shown to have increased glycaemic
variability compared to their usual diet. Adapting the DASH diet to people with
diabetes (e. g., 30 EN% from fat instead of 20 EN%) resulted in a glycaemic
variability comparable to the usual diet, but with lower average blood glucose
concentrations and less time in the hyperglycaemic range [57].
Greater adherence to whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds
was associated with better glycaemic control in a longitudinal observational
study in adolescents with T1Dm [50].
In addition to the evidence for the above described hypothesis-based dietary
patterns, 4 cross-sectional and one longitudinal observational study
investigated associations between exploratory dietary patterns and metabolic
parameters such as glycaemic control and blood pressure, inflammatory
biomarkers, serum lipid levels, and vascular health parameters in subjects with
T1Dm [58]
[59]
[60]
[61]
[62]. These studies also confirm
the conclusion of medical societies that there are a variety of dietary patterns
that may be beneficial for people with diabetes, in this case T1Dm [5]
[6]
[7].
More than a third of all people with T1Dm follow a special diet. Predisposing
factors for this are being a female, a longer duration of diabetes and various
diabetes complications. About 7% of patients with T1Dm follow a vegetarian diet
[63]. By means of adapted insulin therapy,
good metabolic control is possible in people with T1Dm who follow a vegetarian
diet [64]. Among the various forms of a
vegetarian diet, the ovo-lacto-vegetarian diet is the most common. In the study
by Ahola AJ et al., the carbohydrate content of a vegetarian diet was only
slightly higher than that of people without special diets and, at 45 EN%,
corresponded to the general recommendations [63]. Nevertheless, when switching to a vegetarian diet, the need to
monitor and adjust the insulin dose should always be checked [65]. Low GI carbohydrates should also be given
preference, preferably together with fibre, protein or fat, to prevent a rapid
rise in blood glucose [66]. In fact, patients
with T1Dm have a high fibre content and folic acid levels in their diet [63]. A vegetarian diet often results in a risk
of an insufficient vitamin B12, and appropriate checks are therefore indicated
in order to initiate any necessary supplementation [67]. With regard to HbA1c levels, a significant
improvement of about 0.4% can be achieved after switching to a vegetarian diet
[68]. In addition to this, a plant-based
diet has a specific effect on kidney function in people with T1Dm compared to a
meat-based diet [69] and a change in diet to a
vegetarian diet can have a favourable effect on the progression of diabetic
nephropathy [70]. However, it should be noted
that young women in particular who are intensively involved with their diet, for
example in the context of vegetarianism, exhibit an increased risk of eating
disorders [71]. Plant-based alternatives to
meat can also lead to undesirable side effects, such as hypogonadism and
erectile dysfunction as a result of eating soy products [72].
Meal frequency and meal timing
Meal frequency and meal timing
Recommendation
-
If people with T1Dm are overweight, they should avoid irregular eating
times, eating late and a time window for daily food intake > 12 h.
Instead, they should consume the calories predominantly in the first
half of the day, as this can have a beneficial effect on body weight
regulation and cardiometabolic risk.
-
A recommendation for fasting during the day (meal skipping, < 3 meals
per day) or modified intermittent fasting on one or more days a week
cannot be given.
Comment
Irregular food intake, such as skipping meals and snacking behaviour, where small
portions are often eaten between meals and almost around the clock, is a
characteristic of the modern lifestyle [73].
A high meal frequency can increase the risk of obesity [74]
[75], as
many small meals lead to less satiety than 3 larger meals with the same energy
intake [76]
[77]. In addition, frequent smalls meals compared to fewer meals with
the same energy intake resulted in higher liver fat content [77]
[78].
On the other hand, lower meal frequency, lower caloric intake at breakfast or
complete skipping of breakfast was associated with higher weight gain and
increased risk of diabetes, heart attack and stroke in prospective long-term
studies [79]. Intervention studies of varying
durations provide further evidence that skipping breakfast and/or lunch does not
have consistently positive effects on body weight regulation or glucose
metabolism [74]
[80]
[81], [82]
[83]. By
contrast, skipping the evening meal and eating three meals until early afternoon
resulted in an improvement in insulin sensitivity, β-cell response, blood
pressure, and appetite compared to an isocaloric breakfast-lunch-dinner protocol
[84]
[85].
The influence of the time of mealtime intake on body weight and cardiovascular
and metabolic risk is partly explained by circadian differences in metabolism
(e. g. with regard to insulin sensitivity). On the other hand, the circadian
clock, with the help of clock genes and clock-controlled genes, uses food intake
as a timer, so the timing of meals can have an influence on the energy balance
and metabolic risk [86]. If food is consumed
mainly in the evening or at night, contrary to the natural circadian rhythms,
e. g. by skipping breakfast, this leads to lower postprandial thermogenesis and
higher postprandial glycaemia and insulin response [87]. Consuming foods with low glycaemic GI in the morning leads to a
greater improvement in glycaemia than if these foods were consumed in the
evening [88].
In addition, a long daily time window during which food is consumed and energy
thus ingested, promotes weight gain independent of the time of food intake [73]. A reduction of the daily time window
during which food was eaten from more than 14 h to 10–12 h led to weight loss
with an otherwise unchanged diet [89].
Intermittent fasting is a popular concept for weight loss based on major cycles
of dietary restriction, which do not involve skipping a single meal, but instead
provide a greatly reduced calorie intake (0 to < 25% of energy requirements)
every 2nd day or 2–3 times a week. Intermittent fasting results in significant
weight loss depending on the frequency of the fasting days, but this is no
different from the success of a reduction diet with continuous energy
restriction [90]
[91]
[92]
[93]. The effects of this negative energy balance lead to a varyingly
pronounced reduction of cardiometabolic risk factors dependent on the initial
values.
There are worries that intermittent fasting increases the variability of
glycaemia by increasing the risk of both hypoglycaemia and postprandial
hyperglycaemia [94]
[95]. The lack of superiority of intermittent
fasting over continuous, moderate calorie restriction and the lack of studies on
the risks and long-term results in people with T1Dm make it impossible to
recommend intermittent fasting.
Recommendations for body weight
Recommendations for body weight
Recommendation
-
People with T1Dm and normal weight should maintain a normal body
weight.
-
The study situation is not sufficient to generalise the recommendation to
lose weight to overweight people with type 1 diabetes. However, the
recommendation for losing weight may be useful in the presence of
concomitant diseases or insulin resistance (e. g. secondary
dyslipoproteinaemia, high blood pressure, steatohepatitis, etc.).
-
It is important to consider the quality of food and possible
hypoglycaemia (especially in low-carb diets) as well as the development
of eating disorders.
Comment
A higher body mass index (BMI) is associated with macrovascular disease and
retinopathy in T1Dm [5]
[6]. There are no evidence-based studies showing
an association between weight and glycaemic control in T1Dm. However, it can be
assumed that weight loss in T1Dm with simultaneous insulin resistance or
parallel metabolic syndrome would be the same as for T2Dm [57]
[89]
[96].
Therefore, a diet with a low caloric density but high nutritional quality is
beneficial for weight reduction in obese T1Dm patients, especially if the aim is
to predominantly reduce abdominal fat.
Very-low-carb diets, formula diets or interval fasting may increase the risk of
hypoglycaemia and should be used only with close monitoring and adjustment of
the insulin regimen and discussed with the diabetes team.
There is no scientific evidence for the superiority of one nutritional concept
(e. g. low-carb or low-fat) in terms of weight loss for T1Dm. Very-low-carb
diets or interval fasting can increase the risk of hypoglycaemia and should
therefore only be used with close monitoring of the insulin regimen.
Particularly with the somewhat younger T1Dm patients, the patientʼs desire to
lose weight must be critically viewed against the risk of developing an eating
disorder. Female patients are more vulnerable than male T1Dm patients, [97].
Dietary recommendations for weight maintenance
Dietary recommendations for weight maintenance
Recommendation
Comment
Studies on the optimal diet for weight maintenance at T1Dm are not available. The
recommendations should be based on the German Nutrition Society (Deutsche
Gesellschaft für Ernährung - DGE) guidelines for healthy individuals, but
without defining a specific proportion of macronutrients.
Nutritional intervention studies without weight loss differ in the metabolic
outcome. With the Mediterranean diet (n=96) the lipid profile improved; with the
low-fat diet (n=10) insulin sensitivity in T1Dm patients was also reduced [98].
In individual cases and when used in moderation, carbohydrate reduction can be
safe and with few side effects but also without particular benefit (Case Report)
[99]. The risk of hypoglycaemia increases,
however, when rapid-acting insulins are used with “low carb” diets [100]. By contrast, other studies show a
reduction in the hypoglycaemia risk just by significantly reducing carbohydrate
intake (< 50 g; n=10, 1 week). Ketonuria as an indicator of insulin
deficiency is limited [101]. The effectiveness
of emergency glucagon is also reduced due to the lower liver glycogen content
[102].
Diets rich in carbohydrates are without advantage or disadvantage when the
insulin dose is adjusted (n=9; 4 weeks) [103].
High-fibre versions of such diets have lower insulin requirements (n=10; 4
weeks) [104], but can be associated on the
other hand with a worsening of the metabolic state – even during intense
physical activity (n=7, 3 weeks) [105].
Nutritional aspects in geriatric patients
Nutritional aspects in geriatric patients
Recommendation
-
There are no special dietary recommendations for elderly or geriatric
persons with T1Dm.
-
The goals in nutritional counselling often have a different focus and
address maintaining independence more than the actual glycaemia and, in
geriatric patients, on avoiding malnutrition and hypoglycaemia.
-
The recommendations of a protein intake that meets the needs (at least 1
g/kg body weight/d) and the maintenance of a BMI that is normal to
slightly overweight are two basic recommendations that apply to both the
general population and this group of people.
Comment
Basically, the nutritional recommendations for older people with T1Dm do not
differ from those for older metabolically healthy or younger people with T1Dm.
However, in functionally-dependent patients, the consequences of malnutrition in
advanced age are serious and the recommendations for geriatric patients with
T1Dm should be followed.
The S2k clinic practice guideline “Diagnosis, Therapy and Follow-up of Diabetes
in the Elderly” (Diagnostik, Therapie und Verlaufskontrolle des Diabetes im
Alter) also contains very detailed recommendations on nutritional counselling
for older persons with diabetes.
Although an improvement in insulin sensitivity can also be achieved in the
elderly through intentional weight reduction [106], strict dietary guidelines should be avoided in the elderly with
excess weight or obesity because of the risk of malnutrition. If weight loss is
considered, dietary measures should be combined with physical activity whenever
possible and should focus on meeting protein intake requirements. A significant
increase in mortality was found in those over 65 years of age only above a body
mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2
[106]. Patients perceive limiting the
consumption of familiar and comfort food as a reduction in what they consider
quality of life. This aspect is of decisive importance, especially for people of
advanced age.
The risk of potential malnutrition is present when there is a persistent reduced
food intake (approximately < 50% of requirements for more than 3 days) or
when several risk factors are present simultaneously that either reduce the
amount of food eaten or significantly increase energy and nutrient requirements.
The risk of malnutrition can be assessed e. g. by MNA or the corresponding short
form (SF-MNA); both screening methods are well evaluated [107], [108].
Nutritional counselling should also focus on the prevention of hypoglycaemia,
with an initial focus on the adjustment of medication.
Nutritional aspects of special foods and food supplements
Nutritional aspects of special foods and food supplements
Sugar-sweetened beverages
Recommendation
Comment
Similar to the evidence for sucrose and fructose intake in people with T1Dm,
the data on the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages specifically for
this group of patients is also limited, so that recommendations made for the
general population and for people with diabetes in general must also be
used. According to the current evidence-based guideline of the American
Diabetes Association, the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is
strongly discouraged for people with diabetes. Instead, drinking water is
recommended as often as possible to control blood glucose levels and body
weight, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and fatty liver
(evidence level B) [3]
[5]. The British Diabetes Society agrees
that reducing the consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks reduces
cardiovascular risk but only rates the evidence on reducing the consumption
of sugar-sweetened drinks as low (Grade 2) [6].
Alcohol
Recommendation
-
People with T1Dm should limit the amount of alcohol consumed to the
amounts recommended for the general population. Moderate, low-risk
alcohol consumption is compatible with good metabolic control and
diabetes prognosis.
-
People with diabetes and risky alcohol consumption or an alcohol
dependency should be informed about the dangers of alcohol,
especially with regard to poorer metabolic control and the risk of
secondary complications.
-
It should generally be noted that consumption of larger amounts of
alcohol increases the risk of severe hypoglycaemia, especially at
night. This risk can be reduced by eating during the period of
alcohol consumption and raising the target blood glucose level for
the night.
Comment
People with diabetes should be advised of the effects of alcohol consumption
on blood glucose levels and, if alcohol is consumed, should be encouraged to
stick to low-risk consumption amounts. The German Head Office for Addiction
Issues e. V. (Deutsche Hauptstelle für Suchtfragen e. V. – DHS) defines 12 g
alcohol per day for women and 24 g alcohol per day for men as limits for
low-risk consumption. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines a
consumption of 10 g alcohol per day for women and 20 g alcohol per day for
men as low risk. These amounts also apply to people with T1Dm.
The consumption of alcohol can affect blood glucose counterregulation and
thus increase the risk of hypoglycaemia. About one in five cases of severe
hypoglycaemia resulting in hospitalisation is caused by alcohol consumption.
The main effect of alcohol results in reduced awareness, which leads to a
limited hypoglycaemia perception and thus prevents patients from reacting
appropriately. A systematic review on this issue is available from 2018
[109] where a total of 13 studies (RCT
and observational studies) were evaluated.
Eight studies reported that ethanol – regardless of whether administered
intravenously or orally – was associated with an increased risk of
hypoglycaemia, which was linked with a decrease in plasma glucose, an
impaired counterregulatory response, hypoglycaemia perception disorder, and
impaired cognitive function.
Five studies did not prove an increased risk of hypoglycaemia. None of the
studies examined prevention strategies for ethanol-induced hypoglycaemia.
Recommendations from 13 diabetes associations were included. All
associations recommend only consuming ethanol together with the consumption
of food. The majority of the included studies showed that ethanol
consumption increased the risk of hypoglycaemia in patients with T1Dm.
However, the evidence for the prevention of ethanol-induced hypoglycaemia is
scarce and further research is needed to define evidence-based
recommendations.
Excessive consumption of alcohol interferes with diabetes management and
patients with excessive or risky alcohol consumption are less likely to
implement therapy recommendations on exercise, nutrition, medication, blood
glucose self-monitoring or regular HbA1c monitoring. There is a
linear relationship: the higher the alcohol consumption, the less frequently
therapy recommendations are implemented.
According to the S2k clinical practice guideline "Psychosocial Factors
and Diabetes", alcohol consumption should be assessed regularly – at
least once a year – in people with diabetes, and help should be offered when
risky alcohol consumption is an issue. [37, 121]
Nutritional supplements
Recommendation
Comment
According to the American and Canadian Diabetes Associations, there is no
clear evidence that supplementation with vitamins, minerals (e. g., chromium
or vitamin D), herbs or spices (e. g., cinnamon or aloe vera) improves
metabolic control in people without underlying nutritional deficiencies, and
it is not generally recommended to improve glycaemic control. Routine
supplementation with antioxidants (e. g. vitamin E, C or carotene) is not
recommended due to a lack of evidence of efficacy and long-term safety
concerns. However, multivitamin supplementation may be necessary in special
patient groups such as pregnant or lactating women, elderly individuals,
vegetarians or people on an extremely low-calorie or low-carbohydrate diet
[5]. Instead of the general
recommendation of routine administration of dietary supplements, people with
diabetes should be encouraged to meet their nutritional needs through a
balanced diet [7].
There is data on polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) supplementation for
preclinical and clinical T1Dm [110], which
has classified the evidence as "low" that PUFAs protect against
preclinical T1Dm when interventions during both pregnancy and early life
were combined [110].
A small cohort study of newly-manifested T1Dm showed an improvement in
surrogate parameters of endogenous insulin secretion for a 12-month
co-supplementation of n-3-PUFAs and vitamin D in the group of
co-supplemented children vs. children supplemented with vitamin D alone,
with a reduction in the nutritional intake of arachidonic acid against the
background of a Mediterranean diet [111].
Serum concentrations of vitamin D are lower in patients with T1Dm than in
controls [112]
[113]. The effects of vitamin D supplementation on the risk of
T1Dm in infancy/toddlerhood were investigated in 2 meta-analyses and a
review [113]
[114]
[115]. According to
observational studies, vitamin D administration in infancy/toddlerhood
appears to be associated with a reduced risk of T1Dm [113]
[114]
[115]. A dose-response
relationship could be subject to this relationship: a higher vitamin D
intake is associated with a lower risk of T1Dm, and the timing of
supplementation could also be decisive, a lower risk of T1Dm was found at
7–12 months vs. 0 and 6 months of supplementation [115]. Two observational studies also
suggest that vitamin D administration in young adults may have a protective
effect on the risk of T1Dm [113].
According to systematic surveys, the results of vitamin D treatment for
manifest T1Dm are contradictory and vitamin D supplementation only shows a
protective effect on β-cell function and glycaemic control in some studies
[113]
[116]
[117]. The current
recommendation for vitamin D is that people with a high genetic risk for
T1Dm should avoid and prevent vitamin D deficiency by adequate
supplementation, however, the evidence is insufficient for the
administration of higher doses of vitamin D [116].
In a case-cohort study of 257 children with T1Dm, the question was
investigated whether iron supplementation during pregnancy and the first 18
months of life is associated with an increased risk of T1Dm in childhood. It
was concluded that maternal supplementation with iron is not associated with
the risk of T1Dm, but that supplementation in babies/toddlers shows an
inverse association with the risk of T1Dm [118].
Serum concentrations of the trace elements chromium, zinc and magnesium are
lower in persons with T1Dm compared to control persons. Observational
studies show correlations between lower serum concentrations of these trace
elements and poorer glycaemic control in subjects with T1Dm, so that
supplementation may help improve metabolic control. However, further studies
are needed to formulate a clear recommendation [119]. For the trace element zinc, a further systematic review, a
meta-analysis, and a review were identified. The former comprises 25
studies, 3 of them with patients with T1Dm. The 2 case-control studies show
an increased zinc concentration in erythrocytes as well as reduced lipid
peroxidation after zinc supplementation, and the randomised, double-blind
study demonstrates an effect of zinc supplementation on lipid metabolism
[120]. A review describes zinc
supplementation as a possible measure to improve blood glucose control and
lipid metabolism in individuals with T1Dm, but points to the need for
further studies due to the conflicting results of existing human studies
[119].
Probiotics
Recommendation
Comment
The intestinal microbiome and the immune system are closely intertwined [122]. The immunomodulating effect of the
intestinal microbiota or its metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids,
especially butyrate, is shown, among other things, by their effect on
regulatory T cells [123]
[124], the inflammatory status [123], and the function of the intestinal
barrier [125]. In several studies of
participants with diagnosed T1Dm, microbial diversity was found to be lower
than in healthy participants [126]
[127]
[128]. In the period immediately before or at the onset of beta-cell
autoimmunity, a higher proportion of Bacteroides was repeatedly
observed in the subjects compared to the control group [129]
[130]
[131]
[132]. Current studies suggest an
association between reduced production of short-chain fatty acids,
especially butyrate, by the microbiome, and an increased risk of T1Dm [126]
[132]
[133]. To examine the
extent to which probiotic supplementation has a preventive effect on the
development of beta-cell autoimmunity, for example, the prospective,
longitudinal, multicentre cohort "Environmental Determinants of
Diabetes in the Young" (TEDDY) surveyed probiotic supplementation pre-
and postnatally in 7473 infants/children with a genetic predisposition to
T1Dm. Early infant (0–27 days postnatal) probiotic intake may reduce the
risk of beta-cell autoimmunity in children with high-risk genotype
(HLA-DR3/4) [134]. On the other hand, in a
double-blind, randomised, controlled trial, the administration of probiotics
in infancy was not associated with the development of beta-cell autoimmunity
[135].
In addition to preventive research on beta-cell autoimmunity, there are also
studies on the effects of probiotics in already manifest T1Dm. An eight-week
supplementation of synbiotics (Lactobacillus sporogenes GBI-30 with
maltodextrin and fructooligosaccharides) in 50 subjects (4–18 years old)
with diagnosed T1Dm resulted in an improvement in fasting blood glucose,
HbA1c, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and total
antioxidant capacity (TAC) [136].
There is also the following to consider with probiotic supplementation: On
the one hand, probiotics may exhibit antibiotic resistance in mobile genes
that can be transferred to other, possibly pathogenic bacteria through
interbacterial exchange [137]. The
investigation of various commercially-available probiotics showed that the
probiotic bacteria tested were resistant to several different broad-spectrum
antibiotics [138]. On the other hand, in
rare cases, a weakened intestinal barrier function in critically-ill
patients can lead to a translocation of the supplemented microorganisms
[139].
German Diabetes Association: Clinical Practice Guidelines
German Diabetes Association: Clinical Practice Guidelines
This is a translation of the DDG clinical practice guideline published in
Diabetologie 2024; 19 (Suppl 2): S236–S250.DOI: 10.1055/a-2311-9952