Meta-Analysis: Long-Term Low-Carbohydrate Diets Improve Dyslipidemia but Not Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes – J Diabetes Investig

Study Design and Population: This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the impact of long-term low-carbohydrate diets (LCD) on glycemic control and other metabolic parameters in adults with type 2 diabetes. Six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 524 participants were included, with intervention durations ranging from 12 to 24 months.

Main Findings: The meta-analysis found no significant difference in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels between participants on long-term LCD and those on control diets (SMD -0.11, 95% CI -0.33 to 0.11, P = 0.32). Similarly, there were no significant differences in weight loss, blood pressure, or low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. However, LCDs were associated with a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (SMD 0.22, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.41, P = 0.02) and a decrease in triglyceride levels (SMD -0.19; 95% CI -0.37 to -0.02; P = 0.03).

Implications for Practice: While long-term LCDs do not appear to improve glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes, they may be beneficial for managing dyslipidemia, specifically by increasing HDL cholesterol and reducing triglycerides. These findings suggest that LCDs could be considered as part of a strategy for addressing cardiovascular risk factors in this population, but they should not be relied upon for glycemic management.

Reference: Ichikawa, T., Okada, H., Hironaka, J., Nakajima, H., Okamura, T., Majima, S., … & Fukui, M. (2024). Efficacy of long‐term low carbohydrate diets for patients with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Journal of Diabetes Investigation. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdi.14271.