Title:Current Evidence Regarding Low-carb Diets for The Metabolic Control of Type-2 Diabetes
Volume: 17
Issue: 7
Author(s): Adriana Andrade Sousa, Guilherme Renke, Aluysio Leal Jr, Marcela Mascarenhas Braga Rassi, Cristianne Serafim Feuser, Heber Cunha, Flávia Moraes Silva and Alberto Arbex*
Affiliation:
- Department of Endocrinology IPEMED Medical School / AFYA Educational, São Paulo,Brazil
Keywords:
Type 2 diabetes, diet, medical nutrition therapy, low-carbohydrate diet, glycemic control, pre-diabetes.
Abstract: The management of diabetes requires a medical nutrition therapy as an essential part of
this treatment. There should be no “one-size-fits-all” eating pattern for different patient´s profiles
with diabetes. It is clinically complex to suggest an ideal percentage of calories from carbohydrates,
protein and lipids recommended for all patients with diabetes. Among the eating patterns
that have shown beneficial effects on metabolic control of patients with type 2 diabetes is the lowcarb
diet, since the carbohydrate ingestion is viewed as the most important determinant of postprandial
glucose and insulin response. In this context, theoretically, it could make sense to reduce the
daily amount of carbohydrates ingested, to achieve lower levels of HbA1c. There could be risks associated
to this approach. The adherence to a low-carb diet is here also discussed. This narrative review
shows on the current evidence for answering these questions regarding low-carb diet as a possible
alternative eating pattern for type 2 diabetes.