Diet & Weight Loss Articles

Low Carb Diet Helps Diabetics


California researchers report that when standard dietary changes and drug treatment have failed, a low carbohydrate, calorie restricted diet can help people with type 2 diabetes get their blood sugar under control.

As reported in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition , after 8 weeks on a diet which limited carbohydrate intake to 25% of calories, type 2 diabetics had a significant improvement in blood sugar levels compared to those seen with 55% of calories from carbohydrates. The study was comprised of 28 patients. Nine were treated with a standard diet containing 55% carbohydrates and 19 were administered diabetic drugs, but none of the patients were able to achieve target glucose levels with those therapies according to Dr. Lois Javanovic and colleagues at the Sansun Medical Research Foundation in Santa Barbara, California.

After 8 weeks of limiting carbohydrates to 25%, the test subjects had a drop in hemoglobin A1c, a marker for blood sugar control. When placed on the 55% carbohydrate diet for another 12 weeks, hemoglobin A1c increased, a marker for worsening blood sugar control.

The study data suggests that the therapeutic effects of carbohydrate restriction may prolong blood sugar control, thereby potentially modifying the controversial use of insulin for type 2 diabetics.

Editor's Note: Diabetics should always consult their physician or health care professional before modifying their diet or medication.