- A new study, published Wednesday in the BMJ, found that adhering to a low – carb diet for six months was associated with higher levels of depression among people with type 2 diabetes.
- However, the benefits went flat after about a year which is likely due to the restricted diet.
- Lowering carb intake can help improve blood glucose levels along with other signs of carbohydrate intolerance or insulin resistance.
New research has found that a low-carbohydrate diet may help some people with type 2 diabetes get forgiveness.
The study, published Wednesday in the BMJ, found that sticking to a low-carb diet for six months was associated with higher levels of depression among people with type 2 diabetes.
Eating low carb can be difficult to stick to in the long run, and the benefits come after a year.
While the findings highlight the great benefits of following a low carb diet in the short term, more research is needed to better understand the long-term effects of weight loss, blood sugar levels, and quality of life.
People with type 2 diabetes are intolerant to carbohydrates, and eating too much can raise their blood sugar levels and require them to take higher doses of insulin or diabetes medication. .
To better understand the effects of a low-carb diet, researchers analyzed data from 23 clinical trials that monitored 1,357 patients with type 2 diabetes.
Participants adhered to a low-carb diet or a very low-carb diet for at least 12 weeks.
With low carb diets, 26 percent of daily calories came from carbohydrates, and with a very low carb diet, 10 percent of daily calories were from carbohydrates.
Patients’ health and well-being – blood sugar levels, weight loss, quality of life, and adverse health events – were assessed at six months and 12 months.
The researchers found that patients who adhered to a low carb diet had higher flat rates at six months compared to those who did not adhere to a low carb diet.
Compared to other diets, low carb diets were associated with a 32 percent increase in diabetes relief.
Those who followed a low carb diet also experienced weight loss, healthier body fat density, and reduced medication use.
Dr. Minisha Sood, an endocrinologist at Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City, says she regularly recommends low-carb diets for her patients with type 2 diabetes.
“I find that over time, in those who do not, the benefits may diminish over time. However, in those patients who are able to continue and continue this diet, they will usually continue to benefit, ”said Sood.
People with type 2 diabetes are intolerant to carbohydrates.
When “carbohydrate levels are reduced, the burden on their bodies to make insulin to deal with these carbohydrates is also reduced,” Sood explained.
Lowering carb intake can help improve blood glucose levels along with other signs of carbohydrate intolerance or insulin resistance.
“A low or lower carb diet can cause a slight increase in blood sugar after eating,” says Audrey Koltun, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in in New York.
There is no one-size-fits-all diet, and severe restrictions often force people to go on a diet.
Sood said she advises her patients to start with one meal at a time.
For example, she recommends that they treat dinner first and aim to reduce the carb level by about 50 percent by switching to unhealthy, starchy carbohydrates for healthier sources such as healthy grains or lentils.
From there, Sood advises her patients to gradually reduce their carb levels with breakfast, lunch, and snacks.
She recommends non-starchy vegetables and low glycemic index fruits like berries. Healthy grains – such as quinoa, sweet potatoes, and brown rice – and lentils are beneficial sources of carbohydrates, too, Sood added.
Sweets and processed foods, which Sood said are often carb-based, will be exchanged for healthier options.
Koltun recommends healthy fats, such as nuts, avocado, guacamole, hummus, and olives. Undigested dairy products and high-protein foods such as eggs, cheese, chicken, and fish are also among the foods that Koltun includes in low-carb diet plans.
“After about two weeks, patients start to notice that they have more energy, they may be losing weight, they may have a more stable feeling, and a better sense of general well-being,” said Sood.
A food diary can help people who are new to a low-carbohydrate diet stay on track.
When starting a low-carbohydrate diet, it is essential to work with a doctor or a registered dietitian who is particularly involved in diabetes and nutrition.
“It is important to monitor blood sugar levels and get help from a doctor or other professional to make medication changes as appropriate,” said Sood.
Koltun said people with type 2 diabetes should not start a low carb diet without proper knowledge and guidance.
Not all carbohydrates affect blood sugar levels in the same way.
Instead of opting for a restricted diet, aiming for a healthy and balanced low carb diet, a high fiber diet, Koltun suggested.
“Nutritional deficiencies can occur from major changes and restricting an entire food group in a person’s diet,” Koltun said. “Support and guidance and proper food planning is needed.”
Also, nutritional treatment for diabetes requires a mixed diet plan, Koltun added.
An expert can personalize a diet that is reflected in people’s food choices, lifestyles, cultural awareness, and food insecurity.
New research suggests that a short-term low-carbohydrate diet can help people with type 2 diabetes get relief. Decreased carbohydrate intake can also lead to increased weight loss, healthier body fat density, and lower medication use. More research is needed on the long-term effects that a low carb diet can have on blood sugar levels, body fat and quality of life.