Abstract

Background

A low carbohydrate diet is suggested to be effective in type 2 diabetes to reduce or stop glucose lowering medication. To prove the effectiveness of this dietary change, a low carbohydrate diet was studied in patients with type 2 diabetes on the amount of insulin, HbA1c values and weight loss.

Methods

An observational study in one dietitian practice on the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes, all on an insulin regimen, with a low carbohydrate diet. Two HbA1c values prior to, and after six months of the dietary intervention were measured. All patients received a dietary advice to consume 30 grams carbohydrates per day in a day menu schedule. Patients visited the outpatient clinic to discuss their results, experiences, and questions. The online treatment group received feedback every week and extra support per mail.

Results

We included 37 overweight type 2 diabetes patients on insulin treatment and evaluated 35 patients after 6 months. The consumption of carbohydrates was 31±10 grams per day. Insulin use was reduced significantly (p<0.001) from 62.6±46.4 IU to 1.4±6.4 IU per day. For 92% of the participants, insulin injections could be stopped completely. Patients lost a mean of 13.3±6.3 kg of weight and the mean HbA1c level declined from 63.4±11.0mmol/mol to 56.9±13.0mmol/mol (p<0.001).

Conclusion

A low carbohydrate dietary lifestyle is effective in improving HbA1c and weight loss and leads to a significant reduction of insulin need.

Abbreviations: HbA1c: Glycated Hemoglobin; IR: Insulin Resistance; T2DM: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; CH: Carbohydrate(s); NAFLD: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; NASH: Non-Alcoholic Steatosis Hepatitis; IU: International Units; LCHF: Low Carb High Fat