Low Carbohydrate Diets and Type 2 Diabetes

If you have diabetes chances are you’ve heard of a low carb diet before. This article will discuss the premise behind this diet and some important considerations before trying it.

Carbohydrates and Blood Sugar Level
It’s not just sugar that impacts our blood sugar level. Any carbohydrate food, when eaten and digested, is broken down into simple sugars. These sugars enter the bloodstream to be transported to tissues all around the body. For people with diabetes the body’s ability to manage this increase in blood sugar level is compromised due to insulin resistance. If blood sugar levels are not effectively managed through diet and or medication, then over time complications can occur.

As the name suggests a low carbohydrate diet focuses on reducing carbohydrate intake, particularly from processed and high glycaemic index foods, in favour of proteins and fats.

Potential benefits
1) Glycaemic control: many studies indicate a low-carb diet can lead to reductions in blood sugar levels, reducing risk of diabetes-related complications.
2) Weight loss: being above a healthy weight is a risk factor for diabetes. For some people a low carb approach may facilitate weight loss which can improve insulin sensitivity and overall health.
3) Improved cholesterol: some people worry that increasing their intake of protein and fat may worsen their cholesterol levels, however, when a low carb approach is done carefully with guidance from a Dietitian, cholesterol levels may improve.

Important considerations
• Cutting out carbs can lead to deficiencies if not done carefully. It’s crucial to ensure the diet remains nutritionally balanced, with adequate fibre, vitamins and minerals.
• It’s important to ensure that intake of unhealthy fats does not increase and that healthy fat sources and appropriate amounts/types of protein foods are consumed.
• The optimal level of carbohydrate restriction with differ between individuals. Consideration must be given to age, gender, level of physical activity, food preferences etc.
• If an individual is on medication that can cause low blood sugar levels monitoring should be done in close consultation with their healthcare professional to avoid hypoglycaemia.

In summary, whilst a low carbohydrate diet shows promise in managing type 2 diabetes it is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Individualised assessment, personalised advice and regular monitoring is crucial for success and safety. Generally, the best dietary approach for an individual is one that is tailored to the individual’s needs & circumstances and able to be maintained long term.