Low Carb Diet Lowers Inflammation in Diabetics, Study

A two year study confirms that intake of low carb diet helps reduce inflammation in those with type 2 diabetes.

Researchers at the Linkoping University found that a low carbohydrate diet benefits those with diabetes mellitus type 2, a chronic disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood.  It is one of the most common forms of diabetes.  It is the low carb diet and not low fat diet that lowers inflammation.

In the clinical trial, the researchers compared low carbohydrate diet with traditional low fat diet in 61 patients who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.  The two year study period was led by Dr Hand Guldbrand and Professor Fedrick H Nystrom.

By comparing the two different diets, the researchers analyzed the impact of diet on inflammation. Collaborating with cardiologist Professor Lena Jonasson, the researchers checked the levels of inflammation in the blood.

People with type 2 diabetes are known to have high levels of inflammation. This high level of inflammation is known to up the risk of cardiovascular diseases and other related complications.

As a part of the study, the researchers randomly divided low carb diet and traditional low fat diet among the participants and they were also given menu suggestions and diet advice during the three years study period.

Before the study, the researchers analyzed the inflammatory markers in the blood of the participants. After six months a new analysis was again conducted when the weight loss and adherence to the diets was maximum.

The researchers noticed that weight loss was equal in both groups, nearly 4 kg, and the level of glucose dropped more in the group that consumed low-carb diet.  After six months there was a significant drop in inflammation among those having low carbohydrate diet. But not many changes were seen in those having low fat diet.

The group with low carbohydrate diet was the only one that had low level of inflammatory markers in the blood despite the fact that both the groups experienced equal weight loss.

"The clinical trial resulted in a similar weight loss comparing low-carbohydrate diet and low-fat diet, but only the low-carbohydrate diet had a favourable impact on inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes," said the researchers.

The study was reported in Annals of Medicine.