International researchers – including those from CSIRO – have found that consuming fewer carbohydrates can potentially lead to remission from type 2 diabetes.
Scientists published in the BMJ found that patients who followed a low-carbohydrate diet with less than 26% of their daily calories from carbohydrates had a higher rate of remission for type 2 diabetes after six months than patients who traditionally recommended others for the treatment of the disease Diets followed.
Contributing author and CSIRO research scientist Professor Grant Brinkworth said the study found that those who more adhered to the low-carb diet had the greatest health improvements.
“Building on existing research, this study underscores that a low-carbohydrate diet can provide greater weight loss and are more effective at reducing diabetes medication and improving blood sugar control,” said Professor Brinkworth.
“However, this study went a step further to show that the low-carbohydrate diet approach is effective in driving type 2 diabetes into remission.
“We know that lifestyle factors like what we eat play an important role in determining our risk for type 2 diabetes. The good news is that we are choosing these lifestyle choices to change them. “
It is estimated that one in 11 adults worldwide has diabetes, with the disease accounting for around 11% of deaths annually. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease, accounting for 90–95% of all cases.
Dr. Joshua Goldenberg, co-head of the study from the National University of Natural Medicine at the Helfgott Research Institute in Oregon, said the study was the first systematic review to examine the safety and effectiveness of low-carb diets in adults and to assess remission rates Type 2 diabetes.
“We used the most robust scientific methods to examine the combined effects of 23 published clinical studies from around the world that involved 1,357 participants, including additional data from five of these clinical studies on blood sugar status markers,” said Dr. Goldenberg.
“By examining the body of evidence supporting the impact of low carb diets on clinical goals, this study will help clinicians and patients better understand how this nutritional approach can be used to treat type 2 diabetes, which is a major and worsening global disease Problem poses despite numerous pharmaceutical developments.
“The results of this study suggest that low-carbohydrate diets can be viewed as an effective alternative while diabetes medication is monitored and adjusted as needed.”
Professor Brinkworth said the results underscore the need for nutritional support tools.
“These results show that low-carb diets can be a really effective nutritional approach to treating Type 2 diabetes. The challenge, however, is to provide patients with easy-to-use support tools and practical product solutions that will enable them to stick with them long term to achieve these major health improvements, ”said Professor Brinkworth.
“In the future, a clearer definition of type 2 diabetes remission and more rigorous studies examining the long-term safety and satisfaction of low-carb diets will also help confirm the strength of this therapeutic approach.”
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