[The effects of a dietary fiber (white lupine bran) in the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes].

We evaluated the effect of dietary fiber from sweet lupine hull (SLH) upon metabolic control in 16 non insulin dependent diabetics (11 males, mean age 52). Body mass index was 23 +/- 2 and non fasting glucose levels were < 200 mg/dl. Following a 2 month control period, patients received SLH, 10 g th 3rd month and 20 g the fourth. Eleven patients received in addition oral hypoglycemic drugs. Intake of crude dietary fiber increased from 4.1 +/- 1.7 to 8.4 +/- 2 and 13.1 +/- 1 g from control to the 3rd and 4th month. Blood glucose increased and cholesterol level decreased in the 3rd month (p < 0.05). During the 4th month, blood glucose decreased to control levels. No changes were observed in body mass, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, glycosylated Hb and non-fasting glucose and insulin levels in relation to fiber intake. We conclude that dietary fiber intake is low in our patients but a supplement of 10 to 20 g of this particular fiber did not improve metabolic control.