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A low-carbohydrate diet for type 2 diabetes:
Researchers plan the largest study ever done
29/12/2018
In the beginning of this year, the Dietary Science Foundation gave a grant for the planning of a study of a low-carbohydrate diet for type 2 diabetes. The researchers have now had another meeting to work out the details of what will be the largest study ever done in this area.
People with type 2 diabetes have long been told to maintain a healthy weight by reducing their consumption of fat and calories. In recent years, however, several small studies have shown that it can be more effective to limit the amount of carbohydrate in the diet. A strict low-carbohydrate diet minimizes blood sugar fluctuations and reduces the need for medications that bring blood sugar levels down. In a recent systematic review of the science in this area, researchers came to the conclusion that the less carbohydrate people with type 2 diabetes eat, the more stable their blood sugar.
Large studies are needed to evaluate dietary advice
If broad dietary advice is to be given in health care, several large studies examining the long-term effects and risk of side effects need to be done. That’s why the Dietary Science Foundation awarded 100,000 SEK at the beginning of the year to Simon Dankel of the Institution for Clinical Research at the University of Bergen, to lead the planning of an international study on the subject.
A meeting to plan details
The researchers met for the first time in June, and recently they met again to discuss the details of the study. Which dietary treatments should be compared? Which blood tests should be done? What’s the best way to get participants to stick to the diets over time?
The research group, which was previously made up of scientists from Norway, Denmark and Sweden (see earlier article), has been expanded to include nutrition researchers Michael Lean of the University of Glasgow, and Christina Holzapfel of the Technical University of Munich. The group’s next step is to finish writing an application for the project and to apply for grants from various research financiers in their respective countries. The group will also seek continued support from the Dietary Research Foundation.
An important ball is rolling. Our goal is the largest study ever of a low-carbohydrate diet for type 2 diabetes. Give us your support so we can help finance this important project!
