Perhaps a diet as strict as it was thought to maintain type 1 diabetes under control is not needed: a new Swedish research shows that a moderately low carbohydrate diet continued to help people with type 1 diabetes to meet the sugar objectives in theblood.
“The study shows that a moderately low carbohydrates diet reduces the average blood sugar level and that more patients can keep their blood sugar within the target range, which is considered beneficial to reduce the risk of damage to the organsOf the people with type 1 diabetes, the first author of the study, Sofia Sterner Isaksson, dietitian who studies doctoral studies at the University of Gothenburg, said.
With type 1 diabetes, the pancreas produces little or no insulin to help blood sugar enter cells to use it as energy.Without insulin, blood sugar accumulates and can cause serious damage to the organs.
The researchers noted that, for safety reasons, any person with type 1 diabetes who is considering important changes in carbohydrate intake must first consult their health care provider.They said that is especially true for children with type 1 diabetes.
For the study, they randomly assigned 25 men and 25 women with type 1 diabetes (average age: 48 years) to eat a traditional diet with 50 percent carbohydrate energy or a moderate diet low carbohydrates with 30 percentof carbohydrate energy.All had high blood sugar levels, and insulin were injected or used an insulin pump.
A continuous blood sugar monitoring device was used to record blood sugar levels at least 15 minutes for 16 weeks.
Both diets had healthy levels of fats and carbohydrates and included vegetables, fiber -rich carbohydrates, unsaturated fats, nuts, seeds and legumes.A dietitian adapted the diet to each participant.
The researchers found that blood sugar levels were within the target range for a longer time (68 minutes a day, on average) for those who followed a moderate diet low in carbohydrates than a traditional high diet in carbohydrates.Meanwhile, time with higher blood sugar levels was reduced by 85 minutes a day.
The researchers did not find adverse effects: blood pressure and cholesterol readings were similar for both diets, and participants reported feeling slightly more satisfied with the moderate low regime in carbohydrates.A form of acids called ketones also remained at reasonable levels, which reduced concerns that they can become too high when carbohydrates are reduced in type 1 diabetes, the study found.
The findings were published in a recent edition of The Lancet Regional Health-Europe.
"A moderate carbohydrate diet can be a good treatment option for adults with type 1 diabetes with high glucose levels," Isaksson said in a university press release."However, it is important that the diet is healthy, with a particular approach to the quality of fats and carbohydrates, and that the amount of carbohydrates is not too low, so it can be considered safe. Therefore, suppliersof medical care must offer help and monitoring of the diet. "
The study co -author, Dr. Marcus Lind, a professor of Diabetology at the University of Gothenburg, said there has been a lack of studies on the different dietary treatments for type 1 diabetes.
"Therefore, it is important that we can present data thatShow that a moderate diet low carbohydrates is effective and safe for adults with type 1 diabetes, "he said.
