NutriSystem D: New Weight Loss Hope for People with Diabetes

Filed in archive Diet , Research on April 23, 2009

© Andrew*

It's no secret that weight loss can have significant benefits for the nearly 24 million Americans who have diabetes and 57 million more that are pre-diabetic. However, while weight loss is tough for everyone, it's even tougher for diabetics given the mental gymnastics needed to balance caloric intake with carbohydrates, protein, fats and of course blood sugar.

Dramatic results from a recent Temple University School of Medicine clinical study show that NutriSystem D (a new weight loss program formulated for the unique dietary needs of people with diabetes) helped individuals with type 2 diabetes lose 16 times more weight and lower their blood sugar levels 5 times more than a standard hospital-based diet and education regimen.

In a recent study, researchers at the Center for Obesity Research and Education at Temple University School of Medicine followed 68 obese people with Type 2 diabetes for a total of six months, putting half on the NutriSystem D program and the other half on a standard hospital-directed diet and education program. Significant improvements in weight, and blood sugar levels among those who followed the NutriSystem D program were seen after just 12 weeks as compared with the diet and education group.

According to the researchers, the study participants who followed the NutriSystem D program lost on average 18 pounds during the initial 12 week assessment period and lowered their A1C test, by 0.9. By comparison, those who received the hospital-directed diet and education program over the initial 12 week period lost on average one pound, while their average A1C score increased by 0.03.

During a subsequent 12 week period in which all of the study participants followed the NutriSystem D program, both groups lost weight and lowered their blood sugar levels. At the conclusion of the study, the participants who followed the NutriSystem program for the full six months lost a total of 9.7% of their starting body weight, an average of 21.3 pounds and decreased their hemoglobin A1C by 0.9.

Of course, anything that will help in the management of diabetes is surely welcome. I'm sure, diabetics are pretty much open to trying out new weight loss program that will benefit them.