Type 2 diabetes can be defined as a disease of carbohydrate intolerance, according to the Metabolism Society, and this is why eating carbohydrates result in harmfully high blood sugar levels. However, the American Diabetes Association still recommends that people with diabetes get between 45 and 60 g of carbohydrate at each meal and 15 to 30 g of carbohydrate for a snack, which corresponds to about 45 percent to 65 percent of their daily calorie intake. Many people with type 2 diabetes decide to try the low-carb approach instead and find their blood sugar levels significantly improved as a result.
Glycemic Control
Since type 2 diabetes is characterized by a carbohydrate intolerance, it appears logical that lowering your carbohydrate intake will help your blood sugar levels stay within the desirable range. A 16-week study showed that a group of 28 overweight patients with type 2 diabetes following a low-carb diet, which provided less than 20 g of carbohydrates a day, reduced their hemoglobin A1C by 16 percent, from a baseline level of 7.5 percent down to 6.3 percent at the end of the study, as reported in December 2005 of "Nutrition & Metabolism." Hemoglobin A1C reflects your average blood sugar levels over a 3-month period and a value below 7.0 percent is desirable. Another longer term study showed that type 2 diabetics eating a low-carb diet that provided about 80 to 90 g of carbohydrates a day, were able to bring their A1C from a baseline level of 8.0 percent down to 6.9 percent after a year, according to the results published in May 2008 of "Nutrition & Metabolism." A long-term follow-up done with the same participants showed that following the low-carb diet had helped them to keep their A1C within target, with an A1C value of 6.8 percent at 44 months.
Weight Loss and Maintenance
The other beneficial side effect of following a low-carb diet to improve your diabetes control is weight loss, and especially fat loss. The long-term 44-month follow-up study published in May 2008 in "Nutrition & Metabolism" showed that following a low-carb diet, with an intake of 80 to 90 g of carbohydrates a day, helped participants drop a significant amount of weight. Their weight loss averaged 16.6 lb., from a baseline body weight of 221.8 lb. down to 205.2 lb. Participants lost most of their excess weight in the first six months, but were later able to maintain their weight at a lower point even after 44 months.
Following a Low Carbohydrate Diet
If you decide to give low-carb diets a try, start looking at the different sources of carbohydrates in your diet. Lowering your carbohydrate intake will mean reducing or eliminating bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, breakfast cereals, granola bars, muffins and desserts. Start tracking your carbohydrate intake and keep records of your carbs and blood sugar levels. Make non-starchy vegetables, such as leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus and bell peppers, protein foods, such as poultry, fish, meat, eggs and cheese, and healthy fats, such as olive oil, coconut oil, avocado, nuts and seeds, the foundation of your diet. Choose small amounts of fruits, milk, yogurt or whole grains as your limited sources of carbohydrates.
Special Considerations
If your type 2 diabetes is managed with insulin or diabetes medication, talk to your doctor before starting on a low-carb diet so your medications are adjusted accordingly. Failing to do so could result in unpleasant and possibly dangerous episodes of hypoglycemia. Lowering your carbohydrate intake will likely decrease your need for medications or insulin and some type 2 diabetics even need to go off their medications completely, but these changes need to be done under medical supervision.
References
- Metabolism Society: Position Statement on Diabetes
- American Diabetes Association: Carbohydrate Counting
- "Nutrition & Metabolism"; The Case for Low Carbohydrate Diets in Diabetes Management; Surender K. Arora et al; July 2005
- "Nutrition & Metabolism"; Low-carbohydrate diet in type 2 diabetes: stable improvement of bodyweight and glycemic control during 44 months follow-up; Jörgen V. Nielsen, et al.; May 2008
- "Nutrition & Metabolism"; A Low-Carbohydrate, Ketogenic Diet To Treat Type 2 Diabetes; William S. Yancy Jr., et al; December 2005
