Cut back this macro nutrient.
Type 2 diabetes partly arises from the inability of pancreatic beta cells to properly respond to blood sugar levels. Recent research indicates that adopting a low-carbohydrate diet may help rectify this beta cell dysfunction, thereby enhancing the health of individuals with the condition.
Lead researcher Barbara Gower from the University of Alabama at Birmingham stated, “Individuals with type 2 diabetes who follow a low-carbohydrate diet can restore their beta cells, which is an outcome that medications cannot achieve.” She added that those with mild type 2 diabetes might be able to reduce or even eliminate their reliance on medication by decreasing carbohydrate intake, allowing for more protein-rich meals and snacks that meet their energy requirements.
The study highlights that type 2 diabetes is primarily linked to impaired beta cell function and a reduction in the number of beta cells. These cells, located in the pancreas, are responsible for producing insulin, a hormone essential for regulating blood sugar levels. The research team proposed that excessive consumption of carbohydrate-heavy foods, such as bread and pasta, may contribute to beta cell damage.
In their study, the Birmingham research team assigned 57 Black and white adults with type 2 diabetes to follow one of two dietary plans. One group adhered to a low-carbohydrate diet (comprising 9% carbohydrates and 65% fat), while the other consumed a high-carbohydrate diet (with 55% carbohydrates and 20% fat). The findings, published on October 22 in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, revealed that participants on the low-carb diet experienced significant improvements in their beta cell responses to blood sugar. Interestingly, Black participants showed even greater health benefits compared to their white counterparts.
While the potential impact of switching to a low-carbohydrate diet for those with type 2 diabetes is promising, Gower emphasized the need for additional research to fully understand whether such a dietary change can restore beta cell function and potentially lead to remission for individuals with the condition.
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