The authors compared 2 low-carbohydrate diets with 3 key similarities (incorporating nonstarchy vegetables and avoiding added sugars and refined grains) and 3 key differences (incorporating compared with avoiding legumes, fruits, and whole, intact grains) for their effects on glucose control and cardiometabolic risk factors in individuals with prediabetes and T2DM. HbA1c values were not different between diet phases after 12 weeks, but improved from baseline on both diets, likely due to several shared dietary aspects. The WFKD led to a greater decrease in triglycerides, but also had potential untoward risks from elevated LDL cholesterol.
Month: March 2025
Effects of a six-month low-carbohydrate diet on glycemic control, body composition and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes: an open-label RCT
A non-calorie-restricted LCD high in fat has significant beneficial effects on glycaemic control and body composition, and does not adversely affect cardiovascular risk factors in patients with T2D. Reducing carbohydrate intake to 10-25 E% appears to be an effective and safe nutritional approach with respect to classical cardiovascular risk factors and hypoglycaemia.
Weight loss via a low-carbohydrate diet improved the intestinal permeability marker, zonulin, in prostate cancer patients
These findings showed that weight loss improved intestinal permeability in prostate cancer patients while consuming a LCD. This is consistent with a previous study showing that weight loss improved IP in a non-cancer population.
The low carb program for people with type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes: a mixed methods feasibility study of signposting from general practice
Signposting was offered to 351 patients; 160 (45.6%) accepted, 103 (29.3%) registered with the intervention and 43 (26.9% of patients accepting signposting) completed the programme. GPs reported that signposting added between 1–4 minutes to the consultation length. Patients completing the programme reported greater weight loss (7.2 kg versus 1.6 kg, P<0.001) and HbA1c improvements (-9.1 mmol/mol versus 1.7 mmol/mol, P<0.001) compared to those who did not, and were more likely to reduce the number of prescribed diabetes medications in general practice.
Low carbohydrate ketogenic diets reduce cardiovascular risk factor levels in obese or overweight patients with T2DM: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Low-carbohydrate ketogenic diets effectively improved cardiovascular risk factors (blood glucose, weight, and lipids) in obese/ overweight patients, especially those with T2DM when compared with non-ketogenic diets.
The Effects of a 6-Week Controlled, Hypocaloric Ketogenic Diet, With and Without Exogenous Ketone Salts, on Body Composition Responses
Energy-matched hypocaloric ketogenic diets favorably affected body composition but were not further impacted by administration of an exogenous BHB-salt that augmented ketosis. The trend for less nitrogen loss with the BHB-salt, if manifested over a longer period of time, may contribute to preserved lean mass.
A randomized controlled trial of pharmacist-led therapeutic carbohydrate and energy restriction in type 2 diabetes
These reductions occurred concurrently with clinically meaningful improvements in hemoglobin A1C, anthropometrics, blood pressure, and triglycerides (all p < 0.0001). These data indicate community pharmacists are a viable and innovative option for implementing short-term nutritional interventions for people with type 2 diabetes, particularly when medication management is a safety concern.
Effects of a low-carbohydrate diet on insulin-resistant dyslipoproteinemia – a randomized controlled feeding trial
A low-carbohydrate diet, high in saturated fat, improved insulin-resistant dyslipoproteinemia and lipoprotein(a), without adverse effect on LDL cholesterol. Carbohydrate restriction might lower CVD risk independently of body weight.
Effect of carbohydrate-restricted dietary interventions on LDL particle size and number in adults in the context of weight loss or weight maintenance: a systematic review and meta-analysis
This review summarizes findings from 38 randomized trials including a total of 1785 participants. Carbohydrate-restricted dietary interventions were associated with an increase in LDL peak particle size and a reduction in LDL-P. The effect of carbohydrate-restricted dietary interventions on LDL peak particle size appeared to be partially explained by differences in weight loss between intervention groups and exploratory analysis revealed a shift from small dense to larger LDL subclasses.
Efficacy and safety of low and very low carbohydrate diets for type 2 diabetes remission: systematic review and meta-analysis of published and unpublished randomized trial data
On the basis of moderate to low certainty evidence, patients adhering to an LCD for six months may experience remission of diabetes without adverse consequences. Limitations include continued debate around what constitutes remission of diabetes, as well as the efficacy, safety, and dietary satisfaction of longer term LCDs.