Favourable Influences of Linoleic Acid on the Progression of Diabetic Micro- and Macroangiopathy

A long-term study of two diets on the progression of diabetic retinopathy was performed on 102 patients. Diet 1 was composed of carbohydrates 50 cal%, saturated fats 35 cal%, proteins 15 cal%; diet 2, of carbohydrates 45 cal%, fats 40 cal% (are third linoleic acid) and proteins 15 cal%. The linoleic acid content of diet 2 was 4 times that of diet 1. The diabetics were matched 2 by 2 according to 10 criteria and set at random on one of the two diets. During the observation period of 5 years, 3 patients of diet 1 died of a heart infarction. Of the remaining 96 patients (51 males and 44 females); of diet group 1 (linoleic acid poor), 62% of the males and 55% of the females showed retinopathy. Of diet group 2 (linoleic acid rich), 27% of the males and 32% of the females showed retinopathy (p