Adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes who follow a low-carbohydrate diet may experience improvements in their beta-cell function, which can help them manage their condition more effectively and possibly reduce or stop their medication, as indicated by recent research published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
A recent study reveals that adults with type 2 diabetes adhering to a low-carbohydrate diet could benefit from enhanced beta-cell function, enabling better disease management and the potential reduction or cessation of medication.
Beta-cells are specialized cells found in the pancreas that generate and release insulin—a hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels.
In the United States, over 38 million individuals have diabetes, with more than 90% being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. While this type usually appears in adults aged 45 and older, there is an increasing occurrence among children, teenagers, and young adults.
Those with type 2 diabetes often face issues with their beta-cell reaction to blood sugar, likely due to a diet high in carbohydrates. The combination of beta-cell failure and insulin resistance contributes to the onset and advancement of type 2 diabetes.
According to principal study investigator Barbara Gower, Ph.D., from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, “This study demonstrates that individuals with type 2 diabetes who adopt a low-carbohydrate diet can restore their beta-cell function—a result not achievable solely through medication. Those with mild type 2 diabetes who lower their carbohydrate consumption may find they can stop taking medications while still enjoying meals and snacks rich in protein that satisfy their energy requirements.”
The researchers analyzed data from 57 white and Black adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, with half of the group following a low-carbohydrate diet while the other half adhered to a high-carbohydrate diet. They assessed their beta-cell functionality and insulin release at the beginning and again after 12 weeks.
All participants received their meals through the study. Those on the low-carbohydrate plan consumed 9% carbohydrates and 65% fat, whereas those on the high-carbohydrate diet consumed 55% carbohydrates and 20% fat.
The findings revealed that participants on the low-carbohydrate diet exhibited improvements in both acute and maximum beta-cell responses, showing enhancements that were 2-fold and 22% greater, respectively, compared to those on a high-carbohydrate diet. Among the different racial groups, Black participants on a low-carbohydrate diet experienced a 110% greater improvement in acute beta-cell response, while White participants had a 48% greater improvement in maximal beta-cell response than their high-carbohydrate counterparts.
“More research is necessary to confirm whether a low-carbohydrate diet can effectively restore beta-cell function and facilitate remission in those with type 2 diabetes,” Gower added.
Other contributors to this study include Amy Goss, Marian Yurchishin, and William Garvey from the University of Alabama at Birmingham; Sarah Deemer from the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas; and Bhuvana Sunil from the University of Washington and Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Tacoma, Washington.
This study was funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the Nutrition Obesity Research Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the Diabetes Research Center, and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
