An HCF (high carbohydrate, high fiber) diet may help patients with diabetes manage the disease. A potential benefit is that the diet may help control the amount of glucose (blood sugar) in the bloodstream. This may allow some patients, under supervision of their physician, to reduce the amount of insulin or antidiabetic agents they must take to regulate glucose levels.

The diet can also help patients improve their blood cholesterol levels and lose weight. Much of the benefit is due to the effects of replacing fats with complex carbohydrates high in dietary fiber. The effects fiber has on the body include:

• Digestion. By slowing digestion, fiber allows a more gradual release of glucose from food. This helps to prevent high levels of glucose(hyperglycemia).
  
  
• Bile absorption. Bile is a digestive fluid that aids in the breakdown of fats. When present in excess, bile may enter the bloodstream where some of it is converted into blood cholesterol. Fiber absorbs excess bile in the intestines and allows it to be excreted before it becomes cholesterol.
  
  
• Satiety. Fiber keeps the stomach from emptying quickly, which allows people to feel full longer and reduce the desire to eat more. This can be particularly helpful for people with type 2 diabetes who may be trying to lose weight.

A high-fiber diet also may help prevent type 2 diabetes, which is often associated with obesity.

Before starting any diet or making dietary changes, patients should consult with their physician and/or a registered dietitian. This allows custom diets to be developed to suit the individual’s needs. This is especially true for patients with diabetes who may need adjustments to their medication.

As many as 10 percent of patients with diabetes are not able to tolerate the HCF diet or any other nutritional plan that is high in carbohydrates. For these patients, glucose, triglycerides (fats) and cholesterol levels rise when consuming a high-carbohydrate diet. In addition, although a high intake of fiber benefits most people, it may be inadvisable for patients with conditions such as gastroparesis, a form of autonomic neuropathy that slows digestion.