Nutritional Interventions for Improving Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
A Comprehensive Narrative Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33005/jdiversemedres.v3i9.386Keywords:
Chrononutrition; dietary fiber; gut microbiota; insulin resistance; ketogenic diet; Mediterranean diet; nutritional intervention; type 2 diabetes mellitus.Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia due to impaired insulin secretion and insulin resistance. Indonesia ranks among countries with the highest diabetes burden. Insulin resistance worsens glycemic control and increases cardiometabolic complications, making nutritional interventions promising non-pharmacological strategies. This narrative review synthesized evidence from 2020 to 2025 on nutritional interventions for improving insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus. A literature search was conducted in three databases using keywords. Articles were selected using the PICO framework and synthesized narratively. Ketogenic and low-carbohydrate diets reduced glycated hemoglobin, fasting glucose, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance. Dietary fiber improved insulin sensitivity through gut microbiota modulation and increased short-chain fatty acid production. Probiotics and prebiotics improved glycemic control and reduced inflammation. The Mediterranean diet improved insulin resistance and reduced cardiometabolic risk. Chrononutrition helped suppress postprandial glycemia and improve insulin sensitivity. Nutritional interventions play a role in type 2 diabetes mellitus management by targeting insulin resistance through gut microbiota modulation, reduced inflammation and oxidative stress, and improved lipid metabolism. Low-carbohydrate, high-fiber diets, probiotic and prebiotic supplementation, the Mediterranean diet, and chrononutrition are promising adjunctive strategies, but long-term randomized controlled trials are needed to establish sustainability and safety.
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