A protective effect of vegan diets on health outcomes has been observed in previous studies, but its impact on diabetes is still debated. The aim of this review is to assess the relationship between vegan diets and the risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D) along with its effect on glycemic control and diabetes-related complications. In accordance with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta–Analyses) guidelines, Pubmed and Cochrane library databases were systematically searched for all relevant studies. Seven observational and eight randomized controlled (RCTs) studies were included. The methodological quality of studies was assessed using the National Institutes of Health quality assessment tool for observational cohort and cross-sectional studies and the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for RCTs. We found that a vegan diet is associated with lower T2D prevalence or incidence and in T2D patients decreases high glucose values and improves glucose homeostasis, as reported from the majority of included studies. This approach seems to be comparable to other recommended healthful eating models, but as it may have potential adverse effects associated with the long-term exclusion of some nutrients, appropriate nutritional planning and surveillance are recommended, particularly in specific groups of diabetic patients such as frail elderly, adolescents, and pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Immigrants show higher adjusted diabetes prevalence than Italians, especially among South-East Asians followed by North and Sub-Saharan Africans. Diabetes progression is influenced by food behaviors, and diet control is a critical aspect in disease management. Food habits have many cultural and symbolic implications. Guidelines recommend that every patient should receive appropriate self-management education according to cultural and socioeconomic characteristics. This study aims to test whether a customized diet and transcultural mediator’s support can improve immigrants’ food habits. A pre-post quali-quantitative study was conducted among 20–79-year-old Bangladeshi and North African diabetic immigrants. The INMP transcultural mediator, an expert in the social and health care field, actively participates in clinical activity by decoding linguistic and cultural needs expressed by the foreigner patient. Five culturally tailored dietary profiles were designed according to international diabetes guidelines and adjusted to traditional food habits. Data were collected with two different semi-structured questionnaires. Changes in food consumption were assessed through McNemar’s test, while paired Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test was used to analyze pre and post intervention. Fifty-five patients were enrolled. At follow-up, cereals, meat, and potatoes intake significantly improved, and the number of adequate dietary habits for each patient increased significantly. Transcultural mediator support was 90% positively evaluated. Adherence to dietary control is favorably influenced by a transcultural intervention, which is based on clinical and socio-cultural criteria, in compliance with patient’s lifestyles.

BACKGROUND: Protein-free (PF) foods are routinely used in dietetic management of advanced chronic kidney disease in diabetic subjects. The enrichment by fiber has the purpose to reduce their impact on postprandial glucose levels. OBJECTIVE: Aim of th

In patients who cannot, must not or do not want to drink, hydration is a real artificial nutrition intervention. Different clinical situations require a specific approach for fluid administration to reduce the risk of tissue hypoperfusion or oedema. The variations of plasma volume depend not only on the amount of the fluid infused, but also on its distribution, which is determined by the membranes' properties. Fluids for intravenous therapy are not vehicles but real drugs and the knowledge of their properties should guide the choice: the available data on mortality and major complications do not demonstrate the best efficacy between crystalloids or colloids and between the different types of colloids: saline solution at 0.9% is commonly defined as “physiological”, but has significant differences with plasma; balanced electrolytic solutions seem to give better clinical outcomes compared to saline, which is ultimately overprescribed. 5% glucose solution is equivalent to water because glucose is rapidly metabolised, releasing it. It is necessary to strengthen educational interventions to improve the management of fluid therapy.