People living with type 2 diabetes can improve the long-term management of their condition by following a low carb diet, new research has revealed.
A team of researchers examined the health outcomes of 186 adults with long-term type 2 diabetes, all of whom followed a low-carb diet.
They found that 97% of the participants had better blood glucose control after reducing their carbohydrate intake.
Two of the participants even put their condition into remission after living with type 2 diabetes for 15 years.
The study showed that 39% of all type 2 diabetes patients chose a low carb approach and just over 1 in 2 (51%) of patients achieved remission.
Remission was more likely to be acheived inb the group diagnosed less than a year ago. 77% of patients in the group diagnosed less than a year ago acheived type 2 diabetes remission.
This was in contrast to the 20% of patients who acheived type 2 diabetes remission in the group diagnosed over 15 years ago.
The average duration of the approach was 33 months demonstrating the long-term feasibility of a low carb way of eating.
Ann Geoghegan, 70, had type 2 diabetes for 10 years and struggled to manage her blood glucose levels while she lived with the condition.
She said: “My vision was also becoming blurry, which was worrying, but I didn’t think things would ever change.”
However, after following a low-carb diet for 12 weeks, Ann lost 1st 4lb in weight and her blood sugar levels dropped by a third.
Dr David Unwin is Ann’s GP and has been championing the low-carb diet for years, claiming it to be the best way to treat type 2 diabetes.
He said: “Losing weight by adopting a low-carb regimen can not only improve your diabetes control but also your life expectancy.”
By following a low-carb diet, Ann has increased her lifespan by an extra five years, according to Dr Unwin.
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Dr Unwin noted: “This study shows there is great hope for nearly everyone with type 2 diabetes, whether they have been more recently diagnosed or, like Ann, have long-term diabetes.
“Patients I treat with a low-carb diet are amazed not to feel hungry. But if you eat 500 calories of ice cream, you’ll still feel hungry afterwards. However, if you eat the same calorie value of steak and broccoli, you won’t feel hungry because they’re higher in nutrients that fill you up.”
Fellow academic Professor Roy Taylor was one of the first researchers around the globe to identify that losing weight can reverse type 2 diabetes.
Taylor champions the soup and shake programme, which is soon to be available through the NHS for all people living with the condition.
Editor’s note: Diabetes.co.uk members can download a 7 Day and 30 Day Meal Plan for free.
