Carbohydrate reduction tied to normalization of blood sugar levels in prediabetes: Study

Patients with prediabetes often live with obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS), each an independent predictor of type 2 diabetes, and the number of comorbidities is associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Each of these chronic conditions is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and evidence suggests microvascular damage may be present in patients with prediabetes prior to the development of obvious macrovascular disease. This demonstrates the need to initiate treatment for this high-risk state aimed at reversal of the condition to healthy or lower risk state to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of an alternative approach to type 2 diabetes prevention. Ninety-six patients with prediabetes (age 52 (10) years; 80% female; BMI 39.2 (7.1) kg/m2) received a continuous remote care intervention focused on reducing hyperglycemia through carbohydrate restricted nutrition therapy for two years in a single arm, prospective, longitudinal pilot study.

Data analysis revealed some interesting facts.

• Two-year retention was 75% (72 of 96 participants).
• Fifty-one percent of participants (49 of 96) met carbohydrate restriction goals as assessed by blood beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations for more than one-third of reported measurements.
• Estimated cumulative incidence of normoglycemia (HbA1c < 5.7% without medication) and type 2 diabetes (HbA1c ≥ 6.5% or <6.5% with medication other than metformin) at two years were 52.3% and 3%, respectively.
• Prevalence of metabolic syndrome, class II or greater obesity, and suspected hepatic steatosis significantly decreased at two years.
• These results demonstrate the potential utility of an alternate approach to type 2 diabetes prevention, carbohydrate restricted nutrition therapy delivered through a continuous remote care model, for normalization of glycemia and improvement in related comorbidities.

"These results demonstrate the potential utility of an alternate approach to type 2 diabetes prevention, carbohydrate restricted nutrition therapy delivered through a continuous remote care model, for reversion of prediabetes and improvement of related comorbidities. This pilot study demonstrated that the majority of patients with prediabetes who chose to enroll in this intervention achieved normoglycemia or normal blood sugar levels and maintained clinically meaningful weight loss through two years, suggesting this intervention utilizing carbohydrate restricted nutrition therapy delivered through a continuous remote care model may provide an additional and alternative approach for type 2 diabetes prevention. Future research may evaluate the effectiveness of this care model versus alternatives for the prevention or delay of progression to type 2 diabetes." The team concluded.

For the full article follow the link: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13030749

Primary source: Nutrients