The "correct" eating plan... to eliminate type 2 diabetes
A new study has found that the "correct" eating plan can make a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes a thing of the past, according to the "eat this not that" medical website.
According to the site, study authors from the University of British Columbia and the University of Teesside in the United Kingdom gathered nearly 200 adults between the ages of 30 and 75 years living with diabetes and directed them to follow a specific 12-week meal plan.
Within this framework, the diet was defined as low in calories (850 to 1,100 calories per day), low in carbohydrates (less than 50 grams of carbohydrate per day), and high in protein (110-120 grams per day).
During the trial, volunteers consulted with local pharmacists, who assessed their need for blood glucose-lowering drugs.
The researchers chose pharmacists as health care providers because they discovered that adults with diabetes - who live in rural areas - are more likely to visit a pharmacist than their doctor.
According to the study's findings, published in Nature Communications, more than a third of the participants had their diabetes medications withdrawn within three months since they showed "substantial improvement" in their blood sugar levels, blood pressure, weight and general health.
"Type 2 diabetes can be treated, and sometimes even reversed, through dietary interventions," said Dr. Jonathan Little, associate professor in the University of British Columbia's School of Health and Exercise Sciences and co-author of the study.
"However, we needed a strategy to help people implement these interventions while monitoring medication changes," he said in a statement.
Erin Palinski-Wade, author of The 2-Day Diabetes Diet, was not surprised by these findings, stressing, "Previous research has found that low-carb diets can significantly promote weight loss during this time frame."
"Although the science of nutrition is clear, dietary adherence tends to be a hindrance...As shown in previous studies, maintaining these changes is often a struggle because a meal plan that is low in calories and carbohydrates can be restrictive," Palinsky adds. So long-term compliance can be a challenge."
However, she agrees with the study authors regarding the importance of regular check-ups with a pharmacist or diabetes doctor, especially if you are starting a new eating plan with lower calorie and carbohydrate intake.
"This change can increase the risk of developing hypoglycemia in some individuals, which may require medication adjustments," Palinsky said.
Researchers who live in rural areas advise adding a community pharmacist to their healthcare team, while Palinsky recommends looking for a qualified food and nutrition expert, saying, “Partnering with a registered dietitian has been found to be the most effective way to make dietary changes. and a steady lifestyle. "Now that telehealth is available, consistently working with a registered dietitian will be available to most people."