People with diabetes can take control of their condition by modifying their lifestyle to better control blood sugar levels. Many diabetics try to follow the dietary recommendation of including 45 g to 60 g of carbohydrates per meal made by the American Diabetes Association, or their diabetes educator, while others decide to try a low-carb approach, such as the Atkins diet to help them get blood sugar under control.
Carbohydrate Intake
Diabetics are often advised to follow a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet despite the fact that diabetes is considered to be a carbohydrate intolerance, according to the Metabolism Society, a nonprofit health organization providing research, information and education in the application of fundamental science to nutrition. However, a growing number of studies shows that a lower carbohydrate intake, similar to what the Atkins diet promotes, is the most effective diet for improving glycemic control and other important health parameters in diabetes, according to endocrinologist Surender K. Arora in the July 2005 issue of "Nutrition & Metabolism."
Atkins and Blood Sugar Levels
Since blood sugar levels rises are mainly due to the consumption of carbohydrate-rich foods, such as bread, rice, pasta, potatoes, corn, milk, yogurt, fruits and sugar, the Atkins diet advocates the elimination or limited consumption of most of these foods in an attempt to normalize blood sugar levels and decrease insulin levels. Most people with diabetes can see a significant improvement in their blood sugar control within 16 weeks, as demonstrated in a study published in December 2005 in the journal "Nutrition & Metabolism." The participants followed an Atkins-style diet for 16 weeks, starting with an intake of only 20 g of carbohydrates a day, and saw their A1C, or average blood sugar levels, drop from 7.5 percent to 6.3 percent. Moreover, most of the subjects were able to reduce their diabetes medications or even discontinue them.
Atkins and Health Parameters
Critics of the Atkins diet argue that its high-fat content could be damaging for heart health. However, studies are showing quite the opposite. As explained by the Arora in "Nutrition & Metabolism," low-carbohydrate diet often result in improved heart-protective HDL cholesterol and decreased triglycerides levels.
Going Atkins
Diabetics wishing to start on the Atkins diet should first consult with their doctor to ensure they are followed throughout the transition process. The Atkins diet is not dangerous, but its blood sugar-lowering effects may need quick adjustments to your insulin dosage or diabetes medications. The Atkins diet limits carbohydrates below 20 g to 100 g a day, depending on the phase, and rather focuses on the consumption of adequate servings of protein combined with foundation high-fiber vegetables and healthy fats.
References
- American Diabetes Association: Carbohydrate Counting
- Metabolism Society: Position Statement on Diabetes
- "Nutrition & Metabolism"; The Case for Low Carbohydrate Diets in Diabetes Management; Surender K. Arora et al; July 2005
- Atkins: The Program
- "Nutrition & Metabolism"; A Low-Carbohydrate, Ketogenic Diet To Treat Type 2 Diabetes; William S. Yancy Jr et al; December 2005
