While the evidence continues to mount for low carb as means of managing type 2 diabetes, many of us have just one burning questions: How?
How does a low carb program help type 2 diabetes?
Essentially, when carbs are broken down in the body they are converted into glucose, or sugar.
Put simply, by lowering your intake of carbs, you’re lowering blood sugar and minimising spikes, and helping to put your type 2 diabetes into remission.
Dr. Paul Mason and Dr. Peter Brukner explain how it works, and why a low carb approach can have a such a transformative effect your health.
Dr Peter Brukner: Paul, tell us in simple terms how a low-carb program can help diabetes?
Dr Paul Mason: Well, I guess at the heart of it, we have to understand that most of the complications in diabetes occur because there's too much glucose in the circulation, in the blood. And most of that excess glucose comes directly from foods you eat.
Dr Peter Brukner: So, tell us exactly what are carbohydrates?
Dr Paul Mason: Well carbohydrates, more often known as starches and things like that. They're actually foods that we've usually been told are quite healthy. So things like corn, brown rice, pasta, whole grains, cereals - these kinds of foods which are commonly known as starches, literally contain glucose. Molecules of glucose, all linked together. And when you digest them and eat them, that will end up in your circulation and lead to excess levels of sugar. Because remember, as a type 2 diabetic, you-your insulin insulin's not working properly you don't have the capacity to remove that sugar from your circulation.
Dr Peter Brukner: So it's not just sugars. It's starches as well that we've got to avoid if you've got type 2 diabetes.
Dr Paul Mason: Absolutely, 100 percent.
