Indication: Type 2 diabetes

Source: Arch Intern Med, September 1, 2009;151(5):306-14.

Research: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a low-carbohydrate Mediterranean-style or a low-fat diet on the need for antihyperglycemic drug therapy in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. The subjects included 215 overweight people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes who were never treated with antihyperglycemic drugs and had hemoglobin A(1c) (HbA(1c)) levels less than 11%. A group of 108 subjects consumed a Mediterranean-style diet (<50% of daily calories from carbohydrates), while the other group of 107 subjects consumed a low-fat diet (<30% of daily calories from fat).

Results: Participants assigned to the Mediterranean-style diet lost more weight and experienced greater improvements in some glycemic control and coronary risk measures than did those assigned to the low-fat diet. It is important to note, however, that investigators responsible for initiating drug therapy were not blinded to treatment assignment and dietary intake was self-reported. According to the results, investigators believe that compared with a low-fat diet, a low-carbohydrate, Mediterranean-style diet led to more favorable changes in glycemic control and coronary risk factors and delayed the need for antihyperglycemic drug therapy in overweight patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.