A group of researchers from CINTESIS – Center for Health Technology and Services Research has been awarded with the Emílio Peres Grant of the Portuguese Society of Diabetology (SPD) in the framework of the 15th Portuguese Congress on Diabetes that took place on March 8 to 10, in Algarve.
The grant, worth 5 thousand euros, will fund the research project “MEDBIOME – Effect of the Mediterranean Diet on the Microbiome of Diabetic Patients Typo 2”. The objective is to assess if the adoption of a Mediterranean eating pattern has metabolic advantages for patients with diabetes mellitus type 2, and to what extent such effects are mediated by the intestinal microbiota.
“This award is an opportunity to carry out na intervention study in the field of nutrition and diabetes, whose results will consolidate the evidence and will justify this therapeutic approach in diabetic patients”, said, in reaction to the awarding, the research team led by Conceição Calhau and that also includes specialists form CINTESIS and the CHRC-NOVA Medical School.
According to the researchers, “even though the role of the Mediterranean eating pattern in improving metabolic markers associated with diabetes and the microbiota is established, there are no studies evaluating the interaction between these two factors in individuals with diabetes mellitus type 2. This will be the first clinical intervention to assess the impact of the Mediterranean eating pattern on the intestinal microbiota and, consequently, the role of this microbiota modulation in improving the metabolic markers of type 2 diabetic patients.”
The study is already underway, and is currently in the phase of volunteers recruitment. Men and women between the ages of 40 and 75, diagnosed with diabetes type 2 and who are non-smokers, can participate. Those interested can register by sending an email to diabeer@nms.unl.pt.
The results of this work is expected to be presented at the next annual congress of the Portuguese Society of Diabetology.