Macro partitioning
A low carbohydrate Mediterranean diet (35% carbs, 45% fat) improves glycemic control (HbA1c) and cardiovascular risk factors (HDL, TG, LDL) more effectively than standard ADA or traditional Mediterranean diets in overweight type 2 diabetic patients.
For overweight type 2 diabetics, switching to a low-carb Mediterranean diet (35% carbs, 45% fat, mostly olive oil/nuts) for a year significantly improves blood sugar control and heart health markers (HDL, Triglycerides) better than standard diabetic diets. Combine this with regular aerobic exercise for best results.
The reduction in HbA1c was significantly greater in the LCM diet than in the ADA diet... HDL cholesterol increased... only on the LCM... The reduction in serum TG was greater in the LCM... and TM... than in the ADA... LCM was the only diet that led to an increase in HDL-C levels... LCM was superior to both the ADA and TM in improving glycaemic control.
Why this rating
Randomized controlled trial with a large sample size (n=259) and long follow-up (12 months), though with a notable dropout rate (31%).
Source
A low carbohydrate Mediterranean diet improves cardiovascular risk factors and diabetes control among overweight patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a 1‐year prospective randomized intervention study
Asher Elhayany et al. · Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism · 2009
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