Objective To assess the effectiveness and safety of biphasic insulin aspart 30 given three times a day in the management of type 2 diabetes. Methods Such databases as CENTRAL, MEDLINE, PubMed and CNKI were searched on computer; additionally, the relevant conference proceedings from associations like American Diabetes Association, and the references of all selected literatures were also hand-searched. The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on biphasic insulin aspart 30 given three times a day in treating type 2 diabetes were screened according to inclusive and exclusive criteria, without concerning the limitation of languages and blind methods. After data extraction and quality evaluation, Meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 4.2 software. Results Ten trials involving 1 415 patients were included. The sub-group analysis showed that compared with the group of given biphasic insulin aspart 30 twice a day (the bid group), the group of given biphasic insulin aspart 30 three times a day (the tid group) was superior in decreasing HbAlc (Plt;0.000 01). Compared with the group of thrice preprandial injection of Novolin R plus one injection of Novolin N at bedtime (the qid group), Meta-analysis showed that, a) As to the average fasting glucose levels: the tid group was not superior to the qid group (P=0.65); b) As to the average 2-hour postprandial glucose levels: the tid group was superior to the qid group (P=0.0003); c) As to the therapeutic time: the tid group was not superior to the qid group (P=0.38); d) As to the insulin doses: the tid group was superior to the qid group (P=0.000 1); e) As to the insulin costs: the tid group was inferior to the qid group (P=0.02); and e) As to the incidence of hypoglycaemia: the tid group was superior to the qid group (P=0.000 2). Compared with the oral antidiabetic drugs, the results of Meta-analyses showed: the tid group was superior in decreasing HbAlc (P=0.001). Conclusion The limited current evidence shows that biphasic insulin aspart 30 given three times a day, as a simple insulin intensified scheme, is safe and effective for type 2 diabetes, and is worth recommending in clinic. However, all these findings should be further confirmed with more large sample and well-designed RCTs.