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Dietary carbohydrate restriction augments weight loss-induced improvements in glycaemic control and liver fat in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a randomised controlled trial – published online 07/01/2022

Thomsen graphical abstract

Mads N. Thomsen, Mads J. Skytte, Amirsalar Samkani, Martin H. Carl, Philip Weber, Arne Astrup, Elizaveta Chabanova, Mogens Fenger, Jan Frystyk, Bolette Hartmann, Jens J. Holst, Thomas M. Larsen, Sten Madsbad, Faidon Magkos, Henrik S. Thomsen, Steen B. Haugaard, Thure Krarup

Weight loss is the cornerstone of management of type 2 diabetes. Whether a diet reduced in carbohydrate and increased in protein and fat can augment the beneficial effects of weight loss, compared with a conventional diabetes diet, is not known. In this issue, Thomsen et al (https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-021-05628-8) present the results of a randomised study that evaluated the metabolic effects of matched 6% weight loss, induced after 6 weeks of a fully-provided carbohydrate-reduced diet (30% of energy from carbohydrate) or a conventional diabetes diet (50% of energy from carbohydrate) in individuals with type 2 diabetes. The authors show that the experimental diet was well tolerated and, for the same amount of weight loss as that induced by the control diet, augmented the reduction in HbA1c by 1.9 mmol/mol, in liver fat by 26%, in plasma triacylglycerol by 18% and in diurnal blood glucose by 0.8 mmol/l. The authors conclude that carbohydrate reduction has weight loss-independent beneficial metabolic effects and should be considered in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

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