Overall, the Brinkworth team found that low-carb diets won the six-month mark: People on this plan lost on average about 7.5 pounds more than those on comparison diets, and their triglycerides (a type of blood fat) were lower.
In trials looking at remission of diabetes, 57% of people with low carb plans had remission, compared to 31% of people using other diets. Remission has meant that a person’s average blood sugar has been below the threshold for diagnosing diabetes for the past three months.
By the twelve-month point, however, most of the benefits of carbohydrate diets have disappeared.
“Despite the benefits of controlling blood sugar that many low-carb diets can offer, it can be very difficult to keep up,” said Julie Stefanski, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator. She was not part of the study.
The fact is that carbohydrate-rich foods are enjoyable, hard to avoid and offer ’emotional connections to our past’, Stefanski said. He is also a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
In addition to the barriers, Stefanski said, strict restrictions on carbohydrates could eventually deprive people of nutrients, including fiber and certain vitamins.
“To be successful with a diet low in carbohydrates, people really need a plan to address all of the issues,” Stefanski said.
However, she agrees that it can start with a strict carbohydrate plan and then move on to a moderate diet. Stefanski also agrees that people with type 2 diabetes should talk to their doctor first – and possibly consult a dietitian about setting up a low-carb diet.
During the studies, low-carbohydrate plans seemed safe in the short term. The one red flag appears at a year point when people in the diet tended to show an increase in their LDL cholesterol (the ‘bad’ kind).
However, it is unclear what this could mean for their health, Brinkworth said.
Finally, according to Stefanski, there is no diet for people with diabetes.
Also, not all carbohydrates are created equal. Stefanski said that a diet high in vegetables and other high-fiber foods can help inflammation and benefit people with diabetes.