A reduced carbohydrate diet improves glycemic regulation in hyperglycemic older people in a retirement home: the SAGE study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the metabolic effects of a 32% reduced carbohydrate diet (RCHO) on older individuals in a retirement home, focusing on glucose regulation and related biomarkers.
Results Summary
The RCHO diet significantly decreased average blood glucose and time spent in hyperglycemia, improved glycated hemoglobin levels, and increased plasma ketones in hyperglycemic participants, demonstrating metabolic benefits. The diet was also confirmed as safe, tolerable, and acceptable in the studied population.
Population
Older individuals (N=24) living in a retirement home.
Effective Dosage
Not specified (dietary intervention, not a supplement).
Duration
2 months.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
diet reduced in carbohydrate by 32% (RCHO) | decrease | average blood glucose | hyperglycemic participants | 7.8 ± 1.0 vs 7.5 ± 1.1 mM | decreased | #1 |
diet reduced in carbohydrate by 32% (RCHO) | decrease | average blood glucose | hyperglycemic participants | 7.8 ± 1.0 vs 7.0 ± 0.9 mM | decreased | #2 |
diet reduced in carbohydrate by 32% (RCHO) | decrease | percentage of time spent in hyperglycemia (>10.0 mM) | hyperglycemic participants | by 50% | decreased | #3 |
diet reduced in carbohydrate by 32% (RCHO) | decrease | percentage of time spent in hyperglycemia (>10.0 mM) | hyperglycemic participants | by 66% | decreased | #4 |
diet reduced in carbohydrate by 32% (RCHO) | decrease | Glycated hemoglobin | hyperglycemic and normoglycemic participants | - | significantly lower | #5 |
diet reduced in carbohydrate by 32% (RCHO) | increase | Plasma ketones | hyperglycemic participants | threefold | increased | #6 |
diet reduced in carbohydrate by 32% (RCHO) | increase | metabolic health | older population | - | has metabolic health benefits | #7 |
diet reduced in carbohydrate by 32% (RCHO) | no change | safety, tolerability, and acceptability | older population living in a retirement home (RH) | - | confirms its safety, tolerability, and acceptability | #8 |
Poor glucose regulation associated with gradual insulin resistance is a significant risk factor in several age-related chronic diseases. An eating plan that promotes a lower carbohydrate intake may have a beneficial effect on glucose metabolism. This study aimed to evaluate how a diet reduced in carbohydrate by 32% (RCHO) over a 2 month period would influence the metabolic profile of older individuals (N = 24) living in a retirement home (RH). A continuous glucose monitor was used to measure blood glucose during four periods: the standard diet before (baseline) and after (washout) the intervention, during the 4 initial days of the RCHO diet (RCHO-early), and the final days of the 2 month intervention (RCHO-end). The blood metabolic profile was also measured (glucose, ketones, insulin, triglycerides, and cholesterol). RCHO intake decreased average blood glucose compared to the standard diet in hyperglycemic participants: RCHO-early 7.8 ± 1.0 vs 7.5 ± 1.1 mM (p = 0.012) and RCHO-end 7.8 ± 1.0 vs 7.0 ± 0.9 mM (p = 0.050). In the hyperglycemic participants, the percentage of time spent in hyperglycemia (>10.0 mM) decreased by 50% during the RCHO-early (p = 0.012) and by 66% at RCHO-end (p = 0.021) compared to baseline. Glycated hemoglobin was significantly lower at RCHO-end in both hyperglycemic and normoglycemic participants compared to baseline (p < 0.008). Plasma ketones increased threefold in hyperglycemic participants at RCHO-end compared to baseline (p < 0.028). This study shows that an RCHO diet has metabolic health benefits in an older population and confirms its safety, tolerability, and acceptability in an RH (NCT06022094).