Recent data obtained in a real-world study in the UK, led by Dr David Unwin, has found that individuals with type 2 diabetes who follow a low carb diet can significantly improve their kidney function.

Why was this study important?

While there is substantial evidence to support the use of a low carbohydrate or ‘keto’ diet for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, researchers have been left wondering if the subsequent increase of dietary protein in this type of diet may promote renal damage.

There’s a further debate that low carb diets themselves may increase the risk of cardiovascular complications, so the researchers undertook a seven-year study in a primary care setting to thoroughly investigate the impact of a low carb diet in people with type 2 diabetes.

What did the study involve?

The study involved a team of clinicians assessing 143 adults with type 2 diabetes (with an average age of 61 years) who followed a low carb diet for more than two years. The diet aimed to improve blood sugars by reducing sugary and starchy foods like bread, potatoes and rice, replacing them with green leafy vegetables, full-fat dairy, eggs, non-processed meat, fish, berries and nuts. nuts. This diet followed the very same principles we advocate on the Defeat Diabetes program.

What did the study find?

Instead of the expected deterioration in kidney function (because of both age and diabetes), they found the opposite – the majority of the participants improved their renal performance after following a low carb (higher fat and protein) diet. Therefore, the evidence suggests that low carbohydrate diets for people with T2D may improve many renal and cardiovascular risk factors.

Over 30 months, participants improved their serum creatinine, lost an average of 9.5kg, and HBa1C levels improved significantly. In addition, blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels also improved significantly. Overall, 97% of the participants improved their diabetic control, with 47% achieving drug-free T2D remission.

We’re not surprised by the results. Especially when 63% of our members recently report putting their type 2 diabetes into remission, 100% improved their blood glucose levels and reduced their waist measurement and 84% lost weight after just three months on the Defeat Diabetes program.

Why does it matter?

The findings are significant to the medical world. As a result, Dr Unwin has even discredited previous reports claiming that high protein intake promotes renal damage and that low carb diets may increase the risk of cardiovascular complications.

The results are cause for celebration. Those with T2D who follow a low carb diet can improve kidney function, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels through diet alone.