Macro partitioning
In patients with diabetes, a low-carbohydrate diet improves hemoglobin A1c levels more than a conventional low-fat diet, independent of weight loss.
If you have diabetes, a very low-carbohydrate diet may help lower your average blood sugar (HbA1c) more effectively than a standard low-fat diet, even if you lose the same amount of weight. However, this benefit was observed in a smaller subgroup and requires careful monitoring.
As seen in the small group of persons with diabetes (n = 54) and after adjustment for covariates, hemoglobin A1c levels improved more for persons on the low-carbohydrate diet... This difference remained significant after weight loss amount was added to the model (P < 0.019).
Why this rating
Subgroup analysis (n=54) with mixed sensitivity results (significant in main model, not in completers-only or LOCF analyses).
Source
The Effects of Low-Carbohydrate versus Conventional Weight Loss Diets in Severely Obese Adults: One-Year Follow-up of a Randomized Trial
Linda Stern et al. · Annals of Internal Medicine · 2004
DOI 10.7326/0003-4819-140-10-200405180-00007
More from this paper
- In severely obese adults with high prevalence of diabetes or metabolic syndrome, a low-carbohydrate diet (<30g carbs/day) produces more favorable metabolic outcomes (lower triglycerides, preserved HDL, improved HbA1c in diabetics) than a conventional low-fat diet, despite similar weight loss.Good
- A low-carbohydrate diet preserves HDL cholesterol levels better than a conventional low-fat diet in severely obese adults, independent of weight loss.Good
Related findings · Macro partitioning
- Total daily protein intake of 1.6 g/kg/day is sufficient for maximizing resistance training-induced muscle gains, with an upper confidence interval of 2.2 g/kg/day.Strong
- Resistance exercise training combined with sufficient dietary protein intake acts synergistically to maximize skeletal muscle hypertrophy, with protein intake saturating around 1.6 g/kg/day for general populations and potentially requiring 2.0-2.2 g/kg/day for resistance-trained individuals.Strong
- Trans fats should be completely eliminated from the diet, as they increase LDL cholesterol, decrease HDL cholesterol, and are directly associated with increased coronary risk.Strong
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →