Macro partitioning
A low-carbohydrate diet (≤75 g/day) combined with corresponding insulin reduction significantly lowers mean HbA1c and stabilizes blood glucose in individuals with type 1 diabetes, with approximately 48% maintaining adherence and benefit after 4 years.
If you have Type 1 Diabetes and struggle with blood sugar swings, consider a low-carbohydrate diet (limiting carbs to 75g or less per day) while working with your doctor to reduce your insulin doses accordingly. This approach can significantly lower your average blood sugar (HbA1c) and reduce the risk of dangerous lows, but it requires strict adherence to counting carbs and adjusting insulin, which about half of patients find difficult to maintain long-term.
Altogether 48 persons with diabetes duration of 24 ± 12 years and HbA1c > = 6.1% (Mono-S; DCCT = 7.1%) attended the course. Mean HbA1c for all attendees was at start, at 3 months and 4 years 7.6% ± 1.0%, 6.3 ± 0.7%, 6.9 ± 1.0% respectively... In the group of 23 (48%) adherent persons mean HbA1c was at start, at 3 months and 4 years 7.7 ± 1.0%, 6.4 ± 0.9%, 6.4 ± 0.8%.
Why this rating
Retrospective clinical audit with a relatively small sample size (n=48) and significant attrition/non-adherence (52%), lacking a concurrent control group.
Source
Low carbohydrate diet in type 1 diabetes, long-term improvement and adherence: A clinical audit
Jørgen Vesti Nielsen et al. · Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome · 2012
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