Low-carb and low fat may be better for managing type 2 diabetes

This Italian chopped salad has
only 2.5g of saturated fat and
11g of carbs. Source: American
Diabetes Association
Healthy Living Magazine

DIABETES DIGEST – July 31, 2014 – A comparison of low-carb vs. high-carb diets shows that while both diets improve blood sugar control and reduce cardiovascular risks, the very low-carb diet provided the most improvement.

This study differs from previous studies of low-carb diets in several ways. The researchers compared a very low carbohydrate and low saturated fat diet to a high-unrefined carbohydrate, low fat diet in 93 people with type 2 diabetes. 

In other words one group was consuming a lot of lean protein like eggs, fish, and nuts while the other group was consuming a lot of whole grain breads, pasta and beans without butter. Both diets contained the same amount of calories. In addition, both groups participated in 60-minute exercise classes three days a week for 24 weeks.

The Australian researchers led by Jeannie Tay, of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization reported their findings online July 28, 2014 in Diabetes Care. The organization is Australia's national science agency.

The participants, averaging 58 years old, all had type 2 diabetes and were obese with an average BMI of 34.4. Both groups lost about the same amount of weight with an average loss of 26 pounds in the low-carb group compared to 25 pounds in the high-carb group. 

Average blood pressure decreased by 9.8 mmHg in the low-carb group compared to 7.3 mmHg in the high-carb group. And those in the low-carb group had greater reduction in HbA1c at 2.6 mmol/dL, compared to the high-carb group with a reduction of 1.9 mmol/dL. Among those who started the study with their HbA1c above 8.6 mmol/dL those in the low-carb diet reduced their HbA1c by 3.4 mmol/dL significantly better than the 2.5 mmol/dL reduction in the high-carb group.

After 24 weeks the low-carb group reduced their glucose-lowering medication potency and dosage 2-fold compared with the high-carb group.

While the study showed that a low-carb, low-fat diet might be effective for managing type 2 diabetes, the researchers acknowledge that maintaining such a dietary change for life is very difficult.