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Utility of a Short-Term 25% Carbohydrate Diet on Improving Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Gutierrez, M., Akhavan, M., Jovanovic, L., et al., "Utility of a Short-Term 25% Carbohydrate Diet on Improving Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus," Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 17(6), 1998, pages 595-600.

The following information is available at Pub Med and was not written by Atkins professionals.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if introduction of a low carbohydrate diet might be a useful option for type 2 diabetic patients who do not achieve glucose target levels despite conventional treatment.

 METHODS: Subjects with type 2 diabetes, either treated with diet alone (n=9) or second generation sulfonylurea agents (n= 19), which were discontinued, were placed on a diet based on ideal body weight and comprised of 25% carbohydrate. After a mean of 8 weeks, they were then switched to a caloricly equivalent diet, but composed of 55% carbohydrate.

RESULTS: Compared to baseline diet, after 8 weeks of a 25% diet, subjects showed significantly improved glycemia as evidenced by fasting blood glucose values (p<0.005) and hemoglobin A1c levels (p<0.05). Those previously treated with oral hypoglycemic agents showed, in addition, a significant decrease in weight and diastolic blood pressure despite the discontinuation of the oral agent. When then placed on a 55% carbohydrate diet, the hemoglobin A1c rose significantly over the ensuing next 12 weeks (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION: A low carbohydrate, caloricly-restricted diet has beneficial short-term effects in subjects with type 2 who have failed either diet or sulfonylurea therapy and may obviate the necessity for insulin. Our study also affirms the need for reassessing the role of diet whenever type 2 diabetic patients manifests hyperglycemia, despite conventional oral treatment or diet management.

The following information was written by Atkins professionals.

Type 2 diabetics who were previously unsuccessful with medications lost a significant amount of weight, decreased blood pressure significantly, and had better blood sugar control after consuming a low carb diet for 8 weeks. Controlled carbohydrate diets can be an effective approach to regulate blood sugar levels for type 2 diabetics for those whom conventional medical and dietetic intervention had failed. In addition to offering an alternative to drug therapy, a controlled carbohydrate diet may aid in reductions of weight and blood pressure in type 2 diabetics.