I have known many, many diabetics who take this approach and reap the rewards in terms of better blood sugar control and less need for medication. In the case of type 2 diabetes, I’ve seen many individuals who were previously on medication find they have no need for it once their diets are essentially devoid of offending foods.
Low-Carb Versus Low-GI
In a recent study, a low-carb diet (less than 20 grams of carbs a day) was tested in a group of obese, type 2 diabetics. The group also received nutritional supplementation, group support, and recommendations regarding exercise.
The study randomized other type 2 diabetics to another diet, this one based on foods of low glycemic index (GI) and restricted in calories (individuals were to eat 500 calories less per day than would be required to maintain their weight). As with the other group, the low-GI eaters received nutritional supplements, group support, and exercise recommendations. The study lasted for 24 weeks.
One of the main outcome measures used in this study was level of HBA1c (also known as glycosylated hemoglobin). This gives a measure of blood sugar control over the preceding three months or so. This measure fell significantly more in the low-carb versus the low-GI group (by 1.5 percent vs. 0.5 percent).
Weight loss was also greater in the low-carb group (an average of about 24.3 pounds vs. about 15.4 pounds) even though the low-carb group was not instructed to restrict calories and the low-GI group was. The low-carb group also saw a rise in levels of supposedly “healthy” HDL cholesterol, while the low GI group did not. All in all, the low-carb group won hands down.
Results ‘Astounding’
Another outcome measure the authors of this study used was whether or not individuals were able to discontinue their diabetes medication. In the case of the low-carb group, more than 95 percent were able to do so (compared to 62 percent of the low-GI, calorie- restricted group). I see these results as pretty astounding: Almost all the type 2 diabetics on the low-carb regime were able to kiss goodbye to their meds.
This study is, I think, a clear vindication of the low-carb approach in type 2 diabetes, despite being relatively small in size (84 people were enrolled in the study, and 49 completed it). And it adds some scientific validation (should we require it) to the common sense of diabetics eating less of the very foods they have difficulty handling metabolically.
Reference:
Westman EC, et al. The effect of a low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet versus a low-glycemic index diet on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Nutrition & Metabolism 2008; 5:36
Dr. John Briffa is a London-based physician and health writer with an interest in nutrition and natural medicine. His Web site is drbriffa.com
