Low carb, high fat diet may help manage weight, A1c

Of the two types of diabetes, type 2 diabetes is the most common — 95% or more Diabetic patients with type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when a person’s body becomes insulin resistant and doesn’t respond properly to insulin. The hormone insulin regulates its amount. glucose It is taken up by the cells of the body and gives energy.

Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes is caused by a combination of genetics and certain lifestyle factors. obesity, Year, sedentary lifeWhen family history.

In the United States, research indicates certain ethnic groups such as: African American, latin, american indianWhen alaska native, Increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Treatment for type 2 diabetes may include medications and lifestyle changes, such as weight loss, exercise, and dietary changes.

In this study, researchers studied 165 people with type 2 diabetes. Participants were randomly assigned to follow either a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet or a high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet for 6 months. The researchers also asked the participants to eat as many calories as they expended each day.

In conclusion of the study, the researchers found that hemoglobin A1c levels decreased by 0.59% in those on a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet compared to those on a high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet. Did. Those on a low-carbohydrate diet also lost more body fat and decreased waist circumference compared to the high-carbohydrate group.

“Diet is very important in the management of type 2 diabetes,” says Camilla Dalby Hansen, MD and Ph.D. She is a student in the Department of Clinical Studies, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark, and the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Odense University Hospital. She Hansen is also the lead author of the study.

“Patients may be able to control their own diet, which gives them a sense of control and a sense that they can do something about managing their disease,” Hansen said. said. medical news today.

“[Low-carbohydrate, high-fat]diet participants blood sugar control 9.5mmol/mol (0.88%) increase and I lost 5.5kg even though I was eating the same amount of calories as before.

We hope this means long-term compliance is more successful because patients feel full and don’t have to starve. ”

– Camilla Dalby Hansen

“[Low-carbohydrate, high-fat]diet participants blood sugar control I lost 9.5 mmol/mol (0.88%) and lost 5.5 kg even though I was eating the same amount of calories as before,” she said. medical news today“We hope this means that long-term compliance is more successful because patients feel fuller and don’t have to starve.”

At the end of the study, researchers also found that after participants returned to their normal eating patterns, they did not maintain the changes they experienced during the study.

“This shows that this diet approach should be viewed as a long-term lifestyle choice, rather than only lasting for a short period of time,” says Hansen.

Lauren Perehach Cepe, a clinical dietitian at the Kellman Wellness Center in New York, agrees.

“It is important for people dealing with diabetes to implement lifelong diet and lifestyle changes. [people with type 2 diabetes] You can control your blood sugar without using drugs. However, these changes should be maintained.

Our health care is a lifelong process and there are no short-term solutions. ”

Cepe, who reviewed the study, said he was not surprised by the results because diabetics are often recommended a diet focused on lowering their carbohydrate intake and increasing protein.

“When we ingest carbohydrates, our bodies break them down and convert them into sugar molecules, or glucose,” she explained. and promotes the storage of glucose in cells, which can be used as an energy source when needed.”

“For diabetics, this process is not working properly, which means they continue to maintain high circulating levels of blood sugar despite the release of insulin.” “Reducing carbohydrate intake naturally helps control blood sugar levels.”

Regarding the high-fat portion of low-carbohydrate, high-fat diets that some study participants had, Sepe said that previous research has shown that more fat intake is beneficial, especially for diabetics. said it was opened.