Effects of a beverage with added vitamins and dietary fibers on the vitamin status of obese patients with diabetes mellitus type 2
The objective. To assess the effect of including a specialised food product (SFP) in the form of a beverage containing soluble dietary fiber and prophylactic doses of vitamins in diet therapy of patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) on their vitamin status. Patients and methods. A randomised controlled study included 40 patients with DM2 and concomitant obesity (14 men and 26 women). Patients received standard diet therapy for 13 days. Patients of the treatment group (n = 20) against the background of a low-calorie diet received SFP containing around 300% of the adequate intake of soluble dietary fibers (inulin, gum arabic, pectin), 107% of recommended daily amounts of vitamins С and D, 32-95% - the remaining 11 vitamins and 15% - beta-carotene. SFP in the form of a beverage was taken for a mid-morning snack instead of carbohydrate-containing meals. Concentrations of vitamins C, А, Е, 25(OH)D, В<sub>2</sub>, beta-carotene and biochemical parameters of blood serum were tested at enrollment and at the end of the study. Results. Intake of the beverage prevented impairment of the vitamin А, D status, slightly worsened parameters of the vitamin Е and beta-carotene status of patients as compared with these of individuals from the control group. After intake of the beverage relative amounts of serum γ-tocopherol statistically significantly decreased from 2.10% to 1.65% (р = 0.025). Despite the vitamin content of the beverage, a combined deficiency of 3-4 vitamins persisted in 20% of examined individuals at repeat examination, whereas in the control group no multiple vitamin deficiency was found yet. One of the reasons might be significant amounts of soluble dietary fiber which worsens assimilation of vitamins. Conclusion. Combined inclusion in a product of functional ingredients with a proven effectiveness in a certain pathology does not guarantee expected results when this product is consumed. The obtained data confirm the necessity of an obligatory clinical assessment of the effectiveness of SFP with an optimised composition.