Type 2 diabetes and a low-carbohydrate diet — can you stop taking medication?

Aim of the study: Type 2 diabetes can be treated, and sometimes reversed, with dietary interventions; however, strategies to implement these interventions while addressing medication changes are lacking.

Results: The Pharm-TCR intervention was effective in reducing the need for glucose-lowering medications through complete discontinuation of medications (35.7%; n = 35 vs. 0%; n = 0 in TAU; p < 0.0001) and reduced medication effect score compared to TAU. These reductions occurred concurrently with clinically meaningful improvements in hemoglobin A1C, anthropometrics, blood pressure, and triglycerides (all p < 0.0001). These data indicate community pharmacists are a viable and innovative option for implementing short-term nutritional interventions for people with type 2 diabetes, particularly when medication management is a safety concern.

Aim of the study: Dietary treatment is important in management of type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, but uncertainty exists about the optimal diet. We randomized adults (n = 34) with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) > 6.0% and elevated body weight (BMI > 25) to a very low-carbohydrate ketogenic (LCK) diet (n = 16) or a moderate-carbohydrate, calorie-restricted, low-fat (MCCR) diet (n = 18).

Results: At 12 months, participants in the LCK group had greater reductions in HbA1c levels (estimated marginal mean (EMM) at baseline = 6.6%, at 12 mos = 6.1%) than participants in MCCR group (EMM at baseline = 6.9%, at 12 mos = 6.7%), p = .007. Participants in the LCK group lost more weight (EMM at baseline = 99.9 kg, at 12 mos = 92.0 kg) than participants in the MCCR group (EMM at baseline = 97.5 kg, at 12 mos = 95.8 kg), p < .001. The LCK participants experienced larger reductions in diabetes-related medication use; of participants who took sulfonylureas or dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors at baseline, 6/10 in the LCK group discontinued these medications compared with 0/6 in the MCCR group (p = .005). In a 12-month trial, adults with elevated HbA1c and body weight assigned to an LCK diet had greater reductions in HbA1c, lost more weight, and reduced more medications than those instructed to follow an MCCR diet.

Aim of the study: Introduction: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is increasing in epidemic proportions. In addition to the morbidity and mortality, for those treated with insulin, the physical, psychological, and financial tolls are often greater.

Results: Eighty six percent who completed 12 months were able to reduce or discontinue insulin, with 70.6% completely discontinuing. Among all participants who completed 3, 6, or 12 months, 97.6% were able to reduce or eliminate insulin use. Conclusion: In patients with T2DM on a LCD, it is possible to reduce and even discontinue insulin use while facilitating weight loss and achieving glycemic control. A Low Carbohydrate Diet should be offered to all patients with diabetes, especially those using insulin.

Aim of the study: The difficulty of nutritional management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in primary health care in Brazil highlight the need for innovative strategies based on nutritional education.

Results: After 16 weeks, the Intervention Group (IG) showed significant reductions in HbA1c (- 0.91 ± 0.16%), fasting glucose (- 1.46 ± 0.06 mmol/L) and BMI (- 1.63 ± 0.8 kg/m²). In contrast, the CG exhibited significant increases in fasting glucose (+ 1.03 ± 0.17 mmol/L) and Body Mass index (+ 0.96 ± 0.5 kg/m2), with no significant HbA1c change (+ 0.25 ± 0.04%). Between-group comparisons favored the IG (p < 0.001), with net differences of 1.17% in HbA1c and 27.5% in fasting glucose. Additionally, 31% of IG participants achieved HbA1c ≤ 6.5%, whereas none of the CG participants achieved the HbA1c target. Use of oral antidiabetic medication decreased significantly in the IG; notably, this reduction was not observed in the CG (44.8% vs. 0%, p < 0.001). In conclusion, the online education intervention improved glycemic control, reduced BMI, and lowered medication requirements, representing a promising strategy for T2DM management with potential to reduce complications and healthcare system costs.

Aim of the study: We compared the effects of two diets on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and other health-related outcomes in overweight or obese adults with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes (HbA1c>6%).

Results: The LCK group lost 5.5 kg vs. 2.6 kg lost in MCCR group (p = 0.09). Our results suggest that a very low carbohydrate diet coupled with skills to promote behavior change may improve glycemic control in type 2 diabetes while allowing decreases in diabetes medications. This clinical trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01713764.

Aim of the study: The low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet (LCKD) may be effective for improving glycemia and reducing medications in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Results: Twenty-one of the 28 participants who were enrolled completed the study. Twenty participants were men; 13 were White, 8 were African-American. The mean [+/- SD] age was 56.0 +/- 7.9 years and BMI was 42.2 +/- 5.8 kg/m2. Hemoglobin A1c decreased by 16% from 7.5 +/- 1.4% to 6.3 +/- 1.0% (p < 0.001) from baseline to week 16. Diabetes medications were discontinued in 7 participants, reduced in 10 participants, and unchanged in 4 participants. The mean body weight decreased by 6.6% from 131.4 +/- 18.3 kg to 122.7 +/- 18.9 kg (p < 0.001). In linear regression analyses, weight change at 16 weeks did not predict change in hemoglobin A1c. Fasting serum triglyceride decreased 42% from 2.69 +/- 2.87 mmol/L to 1.57 +/- 1.38 mmol/L (p = 0.001) while other serum lipid measurements did not change significantly. The LCKD improved glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes such that diabetes medications were discontinued or reduced in most participants.

Aim of the study: To determine if introduction of a low carbohydrate diet might be a useful option for type 2 diabetic patients who do not achieve glucose target levels despite conventional treatment.

Results: Compared to baseline diet, after 8 weeks of a 25% diet, subjects showed significantly improved glycemia as evidenced by fasting blood glucose values (p<0.005) and hemoglobin A1c levels (p<0.05). Those previously treated with oral hypoglycemic agents showed, in addition, a significant decrease in weight and diastolic blood pressure despite the discontinuation of the oral agent. When then placed on a 55% carbohydrate diet, the hemoglobin A1c rose significantly over the ensuing next 12 weeks (p<0.05). A low carbohydrate, caloricly-restricted diet has beneficial short-term effects in subjects with type 2 who have failed either diet or sulfonylurea therapy and may obviate the necessity for insulin. Our study also affirms the need for reassessing the role of diet whenever type 2 diabetic patients manifests hyperglycemia, despite conventional oral treatment or diet management.

Aim of the study: Effective diabetic management requires reasonable weight control. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown the beneficial effects of a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet (LCKD) in patients with type 2 diabetes after its long term administration. Furthermore, it favorably alters the cardiac risk factors even in hyperlipidemic obese subjects.

Results: The LCD and LCKD had beneficial effects on all the parameters examined. Interestingly, these changes were more significant in subjects who were on the LCKD as compared with those on the LCD. Changes in the level of creatinine were not statistically significant. This study shows the beneficial effects of a ketogenic diet over the conventional LCD in obese diabetic subjects. The ketogenic diet appears to improve glycemic control. Therefore, diabetic patients on a ketogenic diet should be under strict medical supervision because the LCKD can significantly lower blood glucose levels.

Aim of the study: Type 2 diabetes is a known complication of obesity and a financial burden on the US healthcare system. The 2022 American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines support reducing overall carbohydrate intake for patients with type 2 diabetes to improve hyperglycemia.

Results: Type 2 diabetes is a known complication of obesity and a financial burden on the US healthcare system. The 2022 American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines support reducing overall carbohydrate intake for patients with type 2 diabetes to improve hyperglycemia. The ADA has no recommendations about intermittent fasting for patients with type 2 diabetes. This article describes a patient who successfully and safely used a low-carbohydrate diet and intermittent fasting and was able to discontinue medications for type 2 diabetes.