Low Carb Is for People with Diabetes

Since this hit the press, more sources are picking this up and trying to make headlines with it. There are some very disappointing conclusions and what they claim are points of evidence, backed up by clinical studies. Something is very wrong and I doubt will be seriously adopted as presented. And to substitute protein for carbohydrates displaced may for many create other health problems.

Yes, the problem is that the low-carbohydrate recommendation is not low-carbohydrate/high-fat (LC/HF) that many of us are used to, but a low-carbohydrate/low-fat meal plan. This also means that it is high in protein which can also cause problems for some individuals.

This new study involving researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and other institutions says patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes should eat a diet low in carbohydrates. “The study, accepted for publication in Nutrition and available on the journal’s website, offers 12 points of evidence showing that low-carbohydrate diets should be the first line of attack for treatment of Type 2 diabetes, and should be used in conjunction with insulin in those with Type 1 diabetes.”

It is the 12 points I wish to draw your attention to are these:

Quoting -

The 12 points of evidence, backed up by clinical studies, are:

1. High blood sugar is the most salient feature of diabetes. Dietary carbohydrate
   restriction has the greatest effect on decreasing blood glucose levels.
2. During the epidemics of obesity and Type 2 diabetes, caloric increases have
   been due almost entirely to increased carbohydrates.
3. Benefits of dietary carbohydrate restriction do not require weight loss.
4. Although weight loss is not required for benefit, no dietary intervention is
   better than carbohydrate restriction for weight loss.
5. Adherence to low-carbohydrate diets in people with Type 2 diabetes is at
   least as good as adherence to any other dietary interventions and frequently is
   significantly better.
6. Replacement of carbohydrates with proteins is generally beneficial.
7. Dietary total and saturated fats do not correlate with risk of cardiovascular disease.
8. Plasma-saturated fatty acids are controlled by dietary carbohydrates more
   than by dietary lipids.
9. The best predictor of microvascular and, to a lesser extent, macrovascular
   complications in patients with Type 2 diabetes is glycemic control (HbA1c).
10. Dietary carbohydrate restriction is the most effective method of reducing serum triglycerides and increasing high-density lipoprotein.
11. Patients with Type 2 diabetes on carbohydrate-restricted diets reduce and
    frequently eliminate medication. People with Type 1 usually require less insulin.
12. Intensive glucose-lowering by dietary carbohydrate restriction has no side
    effects comparable to the effects of intensive pharmacologic treatment.
    Unquote

The items 6 and 7 in bold are the two items I question. Replacing some of the carbohydrates with protein may work for most people, but not everyone.

By side-stepping the fat issue, they are not realizing that the lipid panel or cholesterol levels will greatly improve and statins may become unneeded. Number 8 may also be unnecessary on a medium to high fat meal plan.