Effect of low-calorie versus low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet in type 2 diabetes.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the beneficial effects of a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet (LCKD) versus a low-calorie diet (LCD) in improving glycemia in overweight and obese participants, including those with type 2 diabetes.
Results Summary
Both LCD and LCKD improved all examined parameters, but LCKD showed more significant benefits, particularly in glycemic control. The study also noted that LCKD allowed for reductions in antidiabetic medication dosages.
Population
Overweight and obese participants, including 102 with type 2 diabetes, recruited from the Al-Shaab Clinic.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
24 weeks
Interactions
Antidiabetic medications were adjusted (some doses halved or discontinued) at the beginning of the LCKD intervention.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet (LCKD) | neutral | diabetic management | patients with type 2 diabetes | - | beneficial effects | #1 |
low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet (LCKD) | decrease | cardiac risk factors | hyperlipidemic obese subjects | - | favorably alters | #2 |
low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet (LCKD) | decrease | body weight | - | - | decreasing | #3 |
low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet (LCKD) | increase | glycemia | - | - | improving | #4 |
low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet (LCKD) | decrease | antidiabetic medication dosage | - | - | effective in decreasing | #5 |
low-calorie diet (LCD) | neutral | all the parameters examined | overweight and obese participants | - | beneficial effects | #6 |
low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet (LCKD) | neutral | all the parameters examined | overweight and obese participants | - | beneficial effects | #7 |
low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet (LCKD) | neutral | all the parameters examined | overweight and obese participants | - | changes were more significant | #8 |
low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet (LCKD) | no change | level of creatinine | overweight and obese participants | - | changes were not statistically significant | #9 |
low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet (LCKD) | increase | glycemic control | obese diabetic subjects | - | beneficial effects | #10 |
low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet (LCKD) | decrease | blood glucose levels | diabetic patients | - | significantly lower | #11 |
OBJECTIVE: 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. These studies have indicated that, in addition to decreasing body weight and improving glycemia, LCKD can be effective in decreasing antidiabetic medication dosage. Similar to the LCKD, the conventional low-calorie, high nutritional value diet is also used for weight loss. The purpose of this study was to understand the beneficial effects of LCKD compared with the low-calorie diet (LCD) in improving glycemia. METHODS: Three hundred and sixty-three overweight and obese participants were recruited from the Al-Shaab Clinic for a 24-wk diet intervention trial; 102 of them had type 2 diabetes. The participants were advised to choose LCD or LDKD, depending on their preference. Body weight, body mass index, changes in waist circumference, blood glucose level, changes in hemoglobin and glycosylated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, urea and creatinine were determined before and at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 wk after the administration of the LCD or LCKD. The initial dose of some antidiabetic medications was decreased to half and some were discontinued at the beginning of the dietary program in the LCKD group. Dietary counseling and further medication adjustment were done on a biweekly basis. 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. CONCLUSION: 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.