Impact of a 2-year trial of nutritional ketosis on indices of cardiovascular disease risk in patients with type 2 diabetes

Consumption of a very low carbohydrate diet with nutritional ketosis for 2 years in patients with type 2 diabetes lowered levels of small LDL particles that are commonly increased in diabetic dyslipidemia and are a marker for heightened CVD risk. A corresponding increase in concentrations of larger LDL particles was responsible for higher levels of plasma LDL-C. The lack of increase in total LDL particles, ApoB, and in progression of CIMT, provide supporting evidence that this dietary intervention did not adversely affect risk of CVD.

Effects of a Low-Carbohydrate Dietary Intervention on Hemoglobin A1c: A Randomized Controlled Trial

In this randomized clinical trial, a low-carbohydrate dietary intervention led to improvements in glycemia in individuals with elevated HbA1c not taking glucoselowering medication, but the study was unable to evaluate its effects independently of weight loss. This diet, if sustained, might be a useful dietary approach for preventing and treating type 2 diabetes, but more research is needed.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A Low-Carbohydrate Diet Realizes Medication Withdrawal: A Possible Opportunity for Effective Glycemic Control

In brief, the effect of decreasing blood glucose control with the LCD is superior to that of the LFD for Chinese patients with T2DM, yielding a lower MES at the same time. It can reduce body weight, BMI, and lipid-lowering agents. A lower demand or burden on insulin-mediated glucose disposal may play an important role in this process. Strict diet control and monitoring are the keys to managing diabetes.