According to a new study, people with type 2 diabetes can go into remission if they eat a low-carb diet for at least six months.
In a systematic review and meta-analysis published this week in the BMJ, researchers found that type 2 diabetes patients who followed a low-carb diet for six months were more likely to achieve remission than those who did not did.
“Patients adhere to it based on moderate to poor evidence of safety [a low-carb diet] for six months, remission from diabetes can occur without adverse consequences, “they concluded. (iStock)
The researchers defined a low-carbohydrate diet as 26% of daily calories from carbohydrates, while a very low-carbohydrate diet was defined as only 10% of daily calories from carbohydrates.
In an analysis of approximately 1,357 participants with the metabolic disorder, the researchers found that those who strictly adhered to a low-carb diet had a higher rate of remission after six months than those who did not, with the diet being associated with one remission rate increased by 32%.
DIABETICS SEE LOWER RISK OF DEATH IF YOU DRINK THESE DRINKS DAILY, STUDY RECOMMENDATIONS
Additional benefits were also noted for those who followed this diet, including weight loss and healthier body fat levels, among other positive effects.
However, the researchers found that the benefits of a low-carb diet decreased towards the end of the year, although it was not immediately clear why this was so. They realized that more study is needed on the subject.
COFFEE CAN PROTECT YOUR LIFE, NEW STUDY PROPOSALS
Still, “patients persisted due to moderate to poor safety [a low-carb diet] for six months remission from diabetes can occur without adverse consequences, “they concluded.
“Limitations include the continued debate about what constitutes remission from diabetes, as well as its effectiveness, safety and nutritional satisfaction in the longer term [low-carb diets]”they added.