Type 2 diabetes most often develops in people 45 or older, but more and more children, teens and young adults are also developing the disease. People with type 2 diabetes have a compromised beta-cell response to blood sugar. Beta-cells are the cells in the pancreas that produce and release insulin, the hormone that controls blood sugar levels. The researchers note that comprised response is possibly due to eating too many carbohydrates. Beta-cell failure or insufficiency on top of insulin resistance is responsible for the development and progression of type 2 diabetes.
“This study shows people with type 2 diabetes on a low-carbohydrate diet can recover their beta-cells, an outcome that cannot be achieved with medication,” said lead study author Barbara Gower, Ph.D., of the University of Alabama at Birmingham in Birmingham, Ala. “People with mild type 2 diabetes who reduce their carbohydrate intake may be able to discontinue medication and enjoy eating meals and snacks that are higher in protein and meet their energy needs.”
For the study people on the carbohydrate-restricted diet ate 9% carbohydrates and 65% fat, and participants on the high-carbohydrate diet ate 55% carbohydrates and 20% fat. The researchers found those on a low-carbohydrate versus a high-carbohydrate diet saw improvements in the beta-cell responses that were 22% greater.
According to Diabetes Australia, low and moderate carbohydrate intake includes carbohydrates making up 26%-45% (moderate) or less than 26% (low) of total daily energy intake.
Snacks that are high in protein, and low in carbohydrates include nuts, greek yoghurt, hummus with vegetable sticks, boiled egg, protein balls, roasted chickpeas, chia pudding, protein shake.
Other ways to help manage type 2 diabetes include:
Regular exercise, aiming for at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity every day. Moderate intensity physical activity is being active enough that your heart is beating a little bit faster and you are “lightly puffing” but can still hold a conversation. If you can sing or whistle a tune, you need to work a little bit harder.
According to Diabetes Australia, healthy eating is all about enjoying a variety of foods from each of the five food groups: vegetables and legumes/beans; fruit; wholegrain foods; lean meat, fish, poultry, tofu, tempeh and nuts ; milk, yoghurt, cheese or non-dairy, calcium fortified plant alternatives.
Diabetes Australia advise that low carb eating is not recommended for children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or people with certain medical conditions. Always consult with your healthcare practitioner before before making any chances to your diet.
