Dietary carbohydrates and glycated proteins in the blood in non diabetic subjects

Objectives: To evaluate in non diabetic subjects the association of dietary carbohydrates with fructosamine, a measure of total non enzymatic glycated proteins in the blood associated with mortality, particularly from cardiovascular diseases. Methods: A population sample of 252 subjects (137 men and 115 women, mean age 57) without diabetes and with fasting serum glucose < 126 mg/100 mL, participated in the study. Diet and dietary glycemic load were measured with a validated food frequency questionnaire. Fructosamine was measured with a standard colorimetric method. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the data. Results: Serum fructosamine was positively associated with dietary glycemic load. Moreover, it was positively associated with intake of polyunsaturated fats and alcohol; and negatively with intake of monounsaturated fats, and with physical activity. Conclusion: The quality of carbohydrate and fat, as well as physical activity, may explain the variation of non enzymatic glycated serum proteins in non diabetic subjects.