Plasma glucose levels: long-term effect of diet in the Chicago Coronary Prevention Evaluation Program

Abstract

In 150 middle-aged men prone to coronary disease, long-term data based on the Chicago Coronary Prevention Evaluation Program's diet showed that there was a favorable effect on fasting glycemia level and glucose tolerance. This diet for reducing obesity and hypercholesterolemia was low in cholesterol and saturated fat and moderate in polyunsaturated and total fat, with replacement of some fat by carbohydrate. At 2 years, decreased weight and serum cholesterol values of normoglycemic men were accompanied by a modest but significant fall in fasting and postload glycemia; at 4 years. fasting glycemia levels remained slightly below baseline. For men with suspect fasting hyperglycemia at baseline, sustained fall in weight and serum cholesterol value was associated with sizeable long-term reductions in fasting glycemia and improvement of glucose tolerance. Decrease in plasma glucose was significantly related to decrease in weight. No evidence of impairment of glucose tolerance with years-long consumption of this diet was recorded.