A Low-carbohydrate, Ketogenic Diet to Treat Type 2 Diabetes

In a study of overweight individuals with type 2 diabetes, the LCKD (low carbohydrate ketogenic diet) improved glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes such that diabetes medications were discontinued or reduced in most participants. Other results include: mean body weight decreased by 6.6% and fasting serum triglyceride decreased 42%.

A Pilot Trial of a Low-Carbohydrate, Ketogenic Diet in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

The study focused on overweight individuals with BMI >25 and being treated with OHA (oral hypoglycemic agents) or insulin that were placed on a LCKD (low carbohydrate ketogenic diet) for 16 weeks. Anthropometric changes include: Body weight = -10%, BMI = -10%, Waist circumference = -7%, Body fat % = -3%, Systolic BP = -9%, Diastolic BP = -15%, Heart Rate = -12%, HDL = no change.

The Effect of a Low-carbohydrate, Ketogenic Diet Versus a Low-glycemic Index Diet on Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Dietary modification led to improvements in glycemic control and medication reduction/elimination in motivated volunteers with type 2 diabetes. The diet lower in carbohydrate led to greater improvements in glycemic control, and more frequent medication reduction/elimination than the low glycemic index diet. Lifestyle modification using low carbohydrate interventions is effective for improving and reversing type 2 diabetes.

A Low-carbohydrate as Compared With a Low-fat Diet in Severe Obesity

Severely obese subjects with a high prevalence of diabetes or the metabolic syndrome lost more weight during six months on a carbohydrate-restricted diet than on a calorie- and fat-restricted diet, with a relative improvement in insulin sensitivity and triglyceride levels, even after adjustment for the amount of weight lost.

Effects of a moderate low-carbohydrate diet on preferential abdominal fat loss and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes

Six months of a moderate LCD resulted in preferential VAT (visceral adipose tissue) loss only in women, with significant correlations between % change SAT (subcutaneous adipose tissue) and both change HDL and change FBG (fasting blood glucose), as well as between % change VAT and change TG. Authors results suggest that an LCD has the potential to reduce abdominal fat in patients with T2DM and deterioration of serum lipid profiles.

Comparison of a Low-fat Diet to a Low-carbohydrate Diet on Weight Loss, Body Composition, and Risk Factors for Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease in Free-living, Overweight Men and Women

Both groups of subjects had significant weight loss over the 10 wk of diet intervention and nearly identical improvements in body weight and fat mass. Only the LC group had a significant decrease in circulating insulin concentrations. Group results indicated that the diets were equally effective in reducing systolic blood pressure by about 10 mm Hg and diastolic pressure by 5 mm Hg and decreasing plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 bioactivity. These data suggest that energy restriction achieved by a very LC diet is equally effective as a LF diet strategy for weight loss and decreasing body fat in overweight and obese adults.

Effect of low-calorie versus low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet in type 2 diabetes

This study shows the beneficial effects of a ketogenic diet over the conventional LCD in obese diabetic subjects. The ketogenic diet appears to improve glycemic control. Therefore, diabetic patients on a ketogenic diet should be under strict medical supervision because the LCKD can significantly lower blood glucose levels.