Panacea Index Logo

Command Palette

Search for a command to run...

Effects of a low-carbohydrate diet in adults with type 1 diabetes management: A single arm non-randomised clinical trial.

PloS one
May 5, 2023
Jessica L Turton et al. (8 authors)
Clinical TrialJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to compare the effects of a healthcare professional-delivered low-carbohydrate diet versus habitual higher-carbohydrate diets on clinical outcomes in adults with type 1 diabetes.

Results Summary

The study found that a low-carbohydrate diet led to significant reductions in HbA1c, total daily insulin use, and increased time spent in the target blood glucose range, along with improved quality of life, without increasing hypoglycaemia or ketoacidosis risk.

Population

Adults (18-70 years) with type 1 diabetes and suboptimal glycaemic control (HbA1c >7.0%).

Effective Dosage

25-75 g/day of carbohydrates.

Duration

12-week intervention period.

Interactions

None mentioned.

Extracted Claims (9)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
low-carbohydrate (LC) diet
decrease
total dietary carbohydrate intake
adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D)
214 to 63 g/day
reductions
#1
low-carbohydrate (LC) diet
decrease
HbA1c
adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D)
7.7 to 7.1% or 61 to 54 mmol/mol
reductions
#2
low-carbohydrate (LC) diet
decrease
total daily insulin use
adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D)
65 to 49 U/day
reductions
#3
low-carbohydrate (LC) diet
increase
time spent in range (blood glucose: 3.5-10.0 mmol/L)
adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D)
59 to 74%
increased
#4
low-carbohydrate (LC) diet
increase
quality of life
adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D)
-
improved
#5
low-carbohydrate (LC) diet
no change
frequency of hypoglycaemia episodes
adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D)
-
did not differ
#6
low-carbohydrate (LC) diet
no change
ketoacidosis
adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D)
-
no episodes
#7
low-carbohydrate (LC) diet
no change
clinical outcomes
adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D)
-
no significant changes observed
#8
habitual diets higher in carbohydrates
no change
clinical outcomes
adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D)
-
no significant changes observed
#9
Abstract

Public interest in low-carbohydrate (LC) diets for type 1 diabetes (T1D) management has increased. This study compared the effects of a healthcare professional delivered LC diet compared to habitual diets higher in carbohydrates on clinical outcomes in adults with T1D. Twenty adults (18-70 yrs) with T1D (≥6 months duration) with suboptimal glycaemic control (HbA1c>7.0% or >53 mmol/mol) participated in a 16-week single arm within-participant, controlled intervention study involving a 4-week control period following their habitual diets (>150 g/day of carbohydrates) and a 12-week intervention period following a LC diet (25-75 g/day of carbohydrates) delivered remotely by a registered dietitian. Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c -primary outcome), time in range (blood glucose: 3.5-10.0 mmol/L), frequency of hypoglycaemia (<3.5 mmol/L), total daily insulin, and quality of life were assessed before and after the control and intervention periods. Sixteen participants completed the study. During the intervention period, there were reductions in total dietary carbohydrate intake (214 to 63 g/day; P<0.001), HbA1c (7.7 to 7.1% or 61 to 54 mmol/mol; P = 0.003) and total daily insulin use (65 to 49 U/day; P<0.001), increased time spent in range (59 to 74%; P<0.001), and improved quality of life (P = 0.015), with no significant changes observed during the control period. Frequency of hypoglycaemia episodes did not differ across timepoints, and no episodes of ketoacidosis or other adverse events were reported during the intervention period. These preliminary findings suggest that a professionally supported LC diet may lead to improvements in markers of blood glucose control and quality of life with reduced exogenous insulin requirements and no evidence of increased hypoglycaemia or ketoacidosis risk in adults with T1D. Given the potential benefits of this intervention, larger, longer-term randomised controlled trials are warranted to confirm these findings. Trial Registration: https://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12621000764831.aspx.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansAdultDiabetes Mellitus, Type 1Glycated HemoglobinQuality of LifeDiet, Carbohydrate-RestrictedInsulin, Regular, HumanHypoglycemiaKetosis
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety90
Efficacy85/10
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations10
Citations/Year5.0
Relative Citation Ratio2.74
NIH Percentile82.9%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score2.71
Normalized Score0.85
Related Supplements
Effects of a low-carbohydrate diet in adults with type 1 dia... | Panacea Index