The Impact of a Low-Carbohydrate Diet on Micronutrient Intake and Status in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate macronutrient and micronutrient intake and status in youth with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) following a low-carbohydrate diet (LCD).
Results Summary
The LCD reduced carbohydrate intake, BMI z-scores, waist-circumference percentile, and HbA1c levels, but also led to significant declines in iron, calcium, vitamin B1, and folate intake below recommended levels.
Population
Adolescents with T1DM using continuous glucose monitoring devices.
Effective Dosage
50-80 g carbohydrate/day.
Duration
6 months.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) | decrease | carbohydrate intake | adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) | from 266 g (204; 316) to 87 g (68; 95) | decreased | #1 |
low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) | decrease | energy intake | adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) | - | decreased | #2 |
low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) | decrease | energy percent from ultra-processed food | adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) | - | decreased | #3 |
low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) | decrease | fiber intake | adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) | - | decreased | #4 |
low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) | decrease | BMI z-score | adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) | - | declines | #5 |
low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) | decrease | waist-circumference percentile | adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) | - | declines | #6 |
low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) | decrease | HbA1c | adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) | from 8.1% (7.5; 9.4) to 7.7% (6.9; 8.2) | improvement | #7 |
low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) | decrease | median intake levels of iron | adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) | - | significant declines below the DRI | #8 |
low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) | decrease | median intake levels of calcium | adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) | - | significant declines below the DRI | #9 |
low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) | decrease | median intake levels of vitamin B1 | adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) | - | significant declines below the DRI | #10 |
low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) | decrease | median intake levels of folate | adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) | - | significant declines below the DRI | #11 |
low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) | decrease | ultra-processed food consumption | youth with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) | - | lowered | #12 |
low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) | decrease | BMI z-scores | youth with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) | - | lowered | #13 |
low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) | decrease | indices of central obesity | youth with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) | - | lowered | #14 |
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the macronutrient and micronutrient intake and status in youth with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) following the consumption of a low-carbohydrate diet (LCD). RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: In a prospective intervention clinical trial, adolescents with T1DM using a continuous glucose monitoring device were enrolled. Following a cooking workshop, each participant received a personalized diet regime based on LCD (50-80 g carbohydrate/day). A Food Frequency Questionnaire was administered, and laboratory tests were taken before and 6 months following the intervention. Twenty participants were enrolled. RESULTS: The median age was 17 years (15; 19), and the median diabetes duration was 10 years (8; 12). During the six-months intervention, carbohydrate intake decreased from 266 g (204; 316) to 87 g (68; 95) (p = 0.004). Energy intake, the energy percent from ultra-processed food, and fiber intake decreased (p = 0.001, p = 0.024, and p < 0.0001, respectively). These changes were accompanied by declines in BMI z-score (p = 0.019) and waist-circumference percentile (p = 0.007). Improvement was observed in the median HbA1c from 8.1% (7.5; 9.4) to 7.7% (6.9; 8.2) (p = 0.021). Significant declines below the DRI were shown in median intake levels of iron, calcium, vitamin B1, and folate. CONCLUSIONS: The LCD lowered ultra-processed food consumption, BMI z-scores and the indices of central obesity. However, LCDs require close nutritional monitoring due to the possibility of nutrient deficiencies.