Macro partitioning
A low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet (LCKD) leads to significantly greater improvements in glycemic control (HbA1c) and more frequent medication reduction compared to a low-glycemic index diet (LGID) in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity.
For individuals with type 2 diabetes and obesity, adopting a strict low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet (under 20g carbs daily) for 24 weeks can significantly improve blood sugar control and allow for the reduction or elimination of diabetes medications, outperforming standard low-glycemic index diets. This approach does not require calorie counting, focusing instead on limiting carbohydrates while allowing unlimited intake of meats, eggs, and non-starchy vegetables.
The LCKD group had greater improvements in hemoglobin A1c (-1.5% vs. -0.5%, p = 0.03)... Diabetes medications were reduced or eliminated in 95.2% of LCKD vs. 62% of LGID participants (p < 0.01).
Why this rating
Randomized controlled trial with a relatively small sample size (n=84, 49 completers) and high dropout rates.
Source
The effect of a low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet versus a low-glycemic index diet on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Eric C. Westman et al. · Nutrition & Metabolism · 2008
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