Long-term clinical efficacy of dietary fiber supplementation in middle-aged and elderly prediabetic patients.

AIMS: Dietary fiber (DF) can be separated from food and convenient to take, and has an important role in diabetes prevention, but long-term intervention data are lacking. This study evaluated the long-term benefits of DF supplementation on body composition, glucose-lipid metabolism, and clinical regression in middle-aged and elderly patients with prediabetes.

METHODS

A randomized, controlled, open clinical study was conducted. Participants were randomized into a control group receiving health education and an intervention group consuming DF supplements daily before meals (15 g of mixed fiber per serving) for 6 consecutive months based on health education. Follow-up was 1 year with a 6-month cycle. Blood and anthropometric parameters were assessed at baseline and 6 months and 12 months of follow-up.

RESULTS

Fifty-four participants were included in the study, 27 in each group. After 6 months, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2 hour plasma glucose (2h PG), and postprandial insulin levels were significantly lower in the intervention group compared to baseline. FPG, 2h PG, glycosylated hemoglobin, triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol values and diabetes incidence were lower than in the control group. After 12 months, blood glucose and diabetes incidence remained lower in the intervention group.

CONCLUSIONS

DF supplementation can reduce the degree of central obesity, the levels of FPG and 2h PG, and the incidence of diabetes in middle-aged and older patients with prediabetes.