Research shows that dietary changes could double insulin production in Type 2 diabetes patients, potentially reducing the need for medication.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism reveals that Type 2 diabetes patients who adopt a low-carbohydrate diet may significantly improve insulin production, potentially eliminating the need for medication. The research suggests that patients on a low-carb diet doubled their insulin response, offering promising insights for those looking to manage their condition through lifestyle changes.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one in ten Americans has diabetes, with Type 2 diabetes comprising roughly 90% of cases. This form of diabetes develops when insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas lose their effectiveness, leading to elevated blood sugar levels that medications alone cannot fully manage. Although there is no cure for diabetes, lifestyle modifications, including diet adjustments, have shown effectiveness in managing the disease’s progression.
The study, led by Barbara Gower, a professor of nutritional science at the University of Alabama–Birmingham, involved 57 participants with Type 2 diabetes who were not on insulin. After discontinuing their medications for one to two weeks, participants were divided into two groups: one group followed a low-carb diet with 9% of calories from carbohydrates and 65% from fats, while the other followed a high-carb diet with 55% of calories from carbohydrates and 20% from fats. After 12 weeks, those on the low-carb diet exhibited a two-fold increase in insulin-producing beta-cell activity compared to only a 32% increase in the high-carb group.
“This study shows people with Type 2 diabetes on a low-carbohydrate diet can recover their beta-cells, an outcome that cannot be achieved with medication,” Gower stated in a press release. She added that “people with mild Type 2 diabetes who reduce their carbohydrate intake may be able to discontinue medication and enjoy eating meals and snacks that are higher in protein and meet their energy needs.”
Dr. Jason Fung, a physician and author of The Diabetes Code: Prevent and Reverse Type 2 Diabetes Naturally, echoed the findings. “People with Type 2 diabetes need to know that a dietary intervention, reducing carbohydrates, has the potential to reverse their disease without the need for medication,” Fung said in an email to The Epoch Times.
The trial suggests that improving the first-phase insulin secretion—the initial surge of insulin production after meals—can help regulate blood sugar levels and prevent diabetes from progressing. As Fung noted, this improvement demonstrates the potential of a low-carb diet to support the body’s natural insulin response.
Internal medicine physician Dr. Chad Savage agrees with the findings, pointing out that a low-carb dietary approach aligns with other research supporting lifestyle changes as primary interventions for managing diabetes. Savage, who works with Samaritan Ministries International, explained that while dietary changes are known to be effective, systemic issues within the healthcare industry often prevent physicians from dedicating the time needed to support patients in these lifestyle transitions. “The government-controlled, insurance-based payment system…creates a harried physician workforce too rushed to dedicate the time and attention needed,” he said.
For patients interested in adopting a low-carb lifestyle, Fung recommends a diet rich in foods like meat, eggs, fish, shellfish, and leafy greens. He suggests reducing refined carbohydrates like bread, rice, potatoes, and noodles, which are known to contribute to blood sugar spikes.
The American Diabetes Association has acknowledged that low-carbohydrate diets can be beneficial for diabetes management. This study adds to the growing evidence that lifestyle interventions, especially in diet, may be key to managing or even reversing Type 2 diabetes symptoms without medication.
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