Researchers tested whether adding a Mediterranean diet and nutritional supplements to a diabetes medicine called dapagliflozin would help patients even more. They studied 108 people with diabetic kidney disease for 6 months. The group that took the medicine plus followed a Mediterranean diet and took supplements had the best results—their blood sugar dropped more, their kidneys worked better, and they felt healthier overall. The good news is that adding these healthy eating habits didn’t cause any extra side effects and made the medicine work even better.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Does adding a Mediterranean diet and nutritional supplements to a diabetes medicine help patients with diabetic kidney disease better than just taking the medicine alone?
  • Who participated: 108 adults with diabetic kidney disease were divided into three groups: one group got standard care only, one group got the diabetes medicine dapagliflozin, and one group got the medicine plus a Mediterranean diet and nutritional supplements.
  • Key finding: The group that combined the medicine with healthy eating and supplements had significantly better results: their blood sugar dropped 1.5% more than the medicine-only group, and their kidney protein levels dropped 48% compared to 35% in the medicine-only group.
  • What it means for you: If you take dapagliflozin for diabetes, adding a Mediterranean diet and proper nutrition may help your medicine work better and improve your overall health. However, talk to your doctor before making major changes to your diet or supplements.

The Research Details

This was a randomized controlled trial, which is one of the strongest types of medical studies. Researchers randomly divided 108 patients into three groups to compare different treatments fairly. One group received standard diabetes care, another group added the medicine dapagliflozin to their standard care, and the third group received the medicine plus a Mediterranean diet (lots of vegetables, fish, olive oil, and whole grains) along with nutritional supplements. The researchers measured blood sugar levels, kidney function, nutritional health, inflammation markers, and quality of life at the start, after 3 months, and after 6 months. This design helps prove that any improvements came from the treatments, not from other factors.

Using a randomized controlled trial design is important because it helps prove cause-and-effect relationships. By randomly assigning people to different groups and measuring the same things in all groups, researchers can be more confident that the Mediterranean diet and supplements actually caused the improvements, rather than other factors like exercise or stress levels. This type of study is considered strong evidence that doctors and patients can trust.

This study has several strengths: it randomly assigned patients to groups, it measured multiple important health markers, and it tracked patients for 6 months. The study was relatively small (108 patients), which is a limitation. The study was published in a peer-reviewed journal, meaning other experts reviewed it before publication. However, the journal impact factor is not provided, so we cannot assess its overall prestige. The study was open-label, meaning patients knew which treatment they were receiving, which could potentially influence their results.

What the Results Show

Both groups that received treatment (medicine alone and medicine plus diet) showed major improvements compared to the standard care group. The group receiving the medicine plus Mediterranean diet and supplements had the best results overall. Their blood sugar control improved more dramatically—their HbA1c (a measure of average blood sugar over 3 months) dropped by 1.5%, compared to only 0.9% in the medicine-only group. This might sound like a small difference, but in diabetes care, even small improvements in blood sugar control can prevent serious complications. The medicine-plus-diet group also had much better kidney function improvements, with protein in their urine dropping by 48% compared to 35% in the medicine-only group. Kidney damage is one of the most serious complications of diabetes, so this improvement is particularly important.

The study also measured nutritional health markers like albumin and ferritin (proteins and iron in the blood), and these improved significantly more in the group that received the Mediterranean diet and supplements. Quality of life scores, measured using a standard health survey, improved much more in the combined treatment group. Inflammatory markers in the blood (signs of inflammation in the body) decreased in both treatment groups, with a slight advantage for the combined treatment group. Importantly, no group experienced more side effects than the others, showing that adding the diet and supplements was safe.

Previous research has shown that dapagliflozin is effective for managing diabetes and protecting kidney function. This study builds on that knowledge by showing that combining the medicine with a Mediterranean diet—which has been proven in many other studies to be heart-healthy and beneficial for blood sugar control—creates even better results. The Mediterranean diet is already recommended by many health organizations for people with diabetes, so this research confirms that following these dietary recommendations while taking dapagliflozin may be particularly beneficial.

The study was relatively small with only 108 participants, which means the results may not apply to everyone. The study lasted only 6 months, so we don’t know if these benefits continue long-term. The study was open-label, meaning patients knew which treatment they were getting, which could influence how they behaved or reported their symptoms. The study doesn’t tell us which specific parts of the Mediterranean diet or supplements were most helpful. Finally, the study was conducted in one location, so results might differ in other populations or countries.

The Bottom Line

If you have diabetic kidney disease and are taking dapagliflozin, ask your doctor about adopting a Mediterranean diet (eating more vegetables, fish, whole grains, and olive oil) and taking appropriate nutritional supplements. This approach appears to significantly improve blood sugar control and kidney function. However, make these changes under your doctor’s guidance, as they may need to adjust your medicine doses. Confidence level: Moderate—this is good evidence, but more research with larger groups and longer follow-up would strengthen these findings.

This research is most relevant for people with diabetic kidney disease who are taking or considering dapagliflozin. It may also interest people with type 2 diabetes who want to optimize their treatment. People with severe kidney disease, food allergies, or those taking medications that interact with supplements should discuss this approach carefully with their doctor before making changes.

Based on this study, you might expect to see improvements in blood sugar control within 3 months and more significant kidney function improvements by 6 months. However, individual results vary, and some people may see benefits faster or slower. Consistent adherence to the diet and supplements is important for seeing these benefits.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your daily Mediterranean diet adherence (servings of vegetables, fish, whole grains, olive oil) and supplement intake. Also monitor fasting blood sugar readings weekly and HbA1c results every 3 months as provided by your doctor.
  • Use the app to log Mediterranean diet meals (aim for 5+ vegetable servings daily, fish 2-3 times weekly, whole grains at each meal) and set reminders for taking nutritional supplements at the same time each day. Create a simple checklist for daily dietary goals.
  • Establish a long-term tracking system that records weekly blood sugar patterns, monthly weight and energy levels, and quarterly kidney function markers (as provided by your doctor). Compare trends every 3 months to see if the combined approach is working for you.

This research summary is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. The findings suggest potential benefits of combining dapagliflozin with a Mediterranean diet and nutritional supplements for people with diabetic kidney disease, but individual results vary. Before making any changes to your diabetes treatment, diet, or supplements, consult with your doctor or healthcare provider. They can assess your specific health situation, potential drug interactions, and whether this approach is appropriate for you. Do not stop taking prescribed medications without medical guidance. This study was published in January 2026 and represents current research at that time; always discuss the latest evidence with your healthcare team.