Share on PinterestA study on a clinical cohort shows that a low-carn diet can help people with type 2 diabetes achieve remission. Image credit: Cameron Whitman/Stocksy.Studies have shown that weight loss by reducing calorie intake can lead to the remission of type 2 diabetes, involving the return of blood glucose (sugar) levels to prediabetic levels in the absence of medications.A recent primary care-based cohort study showed that about 97% of type 2 diabetes patients who adopted a low-carbohydrate diet experienced improvements in blood glycemic control.About 51% of the type 2 diabetes patients achieved remission on the low-carbohydrate diet, with individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within the previous year more likely to achieve remission than those who had diabetes for a longer duration.These findings suggest that a low-carbohydrate diet could be a viable non-pharmacological option for achieving good glycemic control and potentially remission in people with type 2 diabetes.
Low-carb Diet Can Help Achieve Full Remission
A recent study published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health showed that a low-carbohydrate diet was effective in achieving glycemic control in people living with type 2 diabetes.
Low-carb Diet Can Help Achieve Full Remission
Furthermore, more than half of the participants adopting the low-carbohydrate diet achieved type 2 diabetes remission, which meant they were able to eventually stop taking medications.
Low-carb Diet Can Help Achieve Full Remission
Study author Dr. David Unwin, of Norwood Surgery, United Kingdom, told Medical News Today:
Low-carb Diet Can Help Achieve Full Remission
“Incredibly, 77% of those adopting a low-carb approach in the first year of their [type 2 diabetes] achieved remission. This represents a really important ‘window of opportunity’ for further investigation.”
Low-carb Diet Can Help Achieve Full Remission
Dr. Ari Eckman, endocrinologist and medical director of endocrinology services at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, NJ, not involved in this study, noted that the results are “very significant given the fact that many patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus would like to eventually come off of their medications.”
Low-carb Diet Can Help Achieve Full Remission
“This article [in The BMJ journal] provides a blueprint for how many patients were successful in controlling their diabetes with diet alone,” he added. “It will be interesting in the future to hopefully…