Comparative Study of a One Year Dietary Intervention of a Low-Carbohydrate to a Low-Fat Diet on Weight and Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effects of a one year intervention with a low-carbohydrate and a low-fat diet on weight loss and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: This study is a randomized clinical trial of 105 overweight adults with type 2 diabetes. Primary outcomes were weight and A1c. Secondary outcomes included blood pressure and lipids. Outcome measures were obtained at 3, 6, and 12 months.

Results: The greatest reduction in weight and A1c occurred within the first three months. Weight loss occurred faster in the low-carbohydrate arm compared to the low-fat arm (p=.005), but at one year there was a similar 3.4% weight reduction in both arms. There was no significant change in A1c in either arm at one year. There was no change in blood pressure, but a greater increase in HDL was observed in the low-carbohydrate arm (p=.002).

Conclusion: 0Among patients with type 2 diabetes, a low-carbohydrate compared to a low-fat diet had similar effects on weight and A1c following one year. There was no significant effect on blood pressure but the low-carbohydrate diet had a greater increase in HDL cholesterol.