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Comprehensive analysis of systemic, metabolic, and molecular changes following prospective change to low-carbohydrate diet in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in India.

Frontiers in nutrition
May 5, 2024
Nikhil Suresh Bhandarkar et al. (8 authors)
Journal ArticleHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to determine the effects of a low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF) diet on metabolic and ocular health markers in South Asian individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Results Summary

The LCHF diet significantly improved glycemic control (reduced fasting blood sugar and HbA1c) and lipid profiles (lowered triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, and increased HDL). Tear fluid protein biomarkers (e.g., ICAM-1, IL-17A, TNF-α) also decreased, though correlations with HbA1c were not statistically significant. Larger cohort validation is needed for biomarker reliability.

Population

119 South Asian (Indian) adults aged 25-75 years with type 2 diabetes.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

6 months

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (19)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF) diet
decrease
fasting blood sugar
subjects with type 2 diabetes
10% (Δ: -14 mg/dL)
decreased
#1
low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF) diet
decrease
fasting blood sugar
subjects with type 2 diabetes
7% (Δ: -8 mg/dL)
decreased
#2
low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF) diet
decrease
Glycated hemoglobin A1c levels
subjects with type 2 diabetes
13% (Δ: -1%)
decreased
#3
low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF) diet
decrease
Glycated hemoglobin A1c levels
subjects with type 2 diabetes
9% (Δ: -0.6%)
decreased
#4
low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF) diet
decrease
Triglycerides
subjects with type 2 diabetes
22% (Δ: -27 mg/dL)
reduced
#5
low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF) diet
decrease
Triglycerides
subjects with type 2 diabetes
14% (Δ: -19 mg/dL)
reduced
#6
low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF) diet
decrease
Total cholesterol
subjects with type 2 diabetes
5.4% (Δ: -10.5 mg/dL)
reduced
#7
low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF) diet
decrease
Total cholesterol
subjects with type 2 diabetes
4% (Δ: -7 mg/dL)
reduced
#8
low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF) diet
decrease
low-density lipoprotein
subjects with type 2 diabetes
10% (Δ: -11.5 mg/dL)
decreased
#9
low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF) diet
decrease
low-density lipoprotein
subjects with type 2 diabetes
9% (Δ: -11 mg/dL)
decreased
#10
low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF) diet
increase
High-density lipoprotein
subjects with type 2 diabetes
11% (Δ: 5 mg/dL)
increased
#11
low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF) diet
increase
High-density lipoprotein
subjects with type 2 diabetes
17% (Δ: 8 mg/dL)
increased
#12
low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF) diet
decrease
tear protein ICAM-1
subjects with type 2 diabetes
30% (Δ: -2,739 pg/mL)
decreased
#13
low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF) diet
decrease
tear protein IL-17A
subjects with type 2 diabetes
22% (Δ: -4.5 pg/mL)
decreased
#14
low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF) diet
decrease
tear protein TNF-α
subjects with type 2 diabetes
34% (Δ: -0.9 pg/mL)
decreased
#15
low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF) diet
decrease
tear protein IL-1β
subjects with type 2 diabetes
41% (Δ: -2.4 pg/mL)
reduced
#16
low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF) diet
decrease
tear protein TNF-α
subjects with type 2 diabetes
34% (Δ: -0.67 pg/mL)
reduced
#17
low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF) diet
no change
association between tear biomarkers and HbA1c
subjects with type 2 diabetes
not statistically significant
showed no statistically significant correlation
#18
low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF) diet
decrease
hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia
subjects with type 2 diabetes
-
reduces the risk of
#19
Abstract

PURPOSE: South Asians, especially Indians, face higher diabetes-related risks despite lower body mass index (BMI) compared with the White population. Limited research connects low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF)/ketogenic diets to metabolic changes in this group. Systematic studies are needed to assess the long-term effects of the diet, such as ocular health. METHOD: In this prospective, observational study, 465 candidates aged 25-75 years with type 2 diabetes included with institutional ethics approval. A total of 119 subjects were included in the final study assessment based on the availability of pathophysiological reports, tears, and blood samples collected at baseline, 3rd, and 6th months. Serum and tear samples were analyzed by an enzyme-linked lectinsorbent assay, to examine secreted soluble protein biomarkers, such as IL-1β (interleukin 1 Beta), IL-6 (interleukin 6), IL-10 (interleukin 10), IL-17A (interleukin 17A), MMP-9 (matrix metalloproteinase 9), ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule 1), VEGF-A (vascular endothelial growth factor A), and TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-alpha). A Wilcoxon test was performed for paired samples. Spearman's correlation was applied to test the strength and direction of the association between tear biomarkers and HbA1c. p-value of < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: After a 3- and 6-month LCHF intervention, fasting blood sugar decreased by 10% (Δ: -14 mg/dL; p < 0.0001) and 7% (Δ: -8 mg/dL; p < 0.0001), respectively. Glycated hemoglobin A1c levels decreased by 13% (Δ: -1%; p < 0.0001) and 9% (Δ: -0.6%; p < 0.0001). Triglycerides reduced by 22% (Δ: -27 mg/dL; p < 0.0001) and 14% (Δ: -19 mg/dL; p < 0.0001). Total cholesterol reduced by 5.4% (Δ: -10.5 mg/dL; p < 0.003) and 4% (Δ: -7 mg/dL; p < 0.03), while low-density lipoprotein decreased by 10% (Δ: -11.5 mg/dL; p < 0.003) and 9% (Δ: -11 mg/dL; p < 0.002). High-density lipoprotein increased by 11% (Δ: 5 mg/dL; p < 0.0001) and 17% (Δ: 8 mg/dL; p < 0.0001). At the first follow-up, tear proteins such as ICAM-1, IL-17A, and TNF-α decreased by 30% (Δ: -2,739 pg/mL; p < 0.01), 22% (Δ: -4.5 pg/mL; p < 0.02), and 34% (Δ: -0.9 pg/mL; p < 0.002), respectively. At the second follow-up, IL-1β and TNF-α reduced by 41% (Δ: -2.4 pg/mL; p < 0.05) and 34% (Δ: -0.67 pg/mL; p < 0.02). Spearman's correlation between HbA1c and tear analytes was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The LCHF diet reduces the risk of hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia. Changes in tear fluid protein profiles were observed, but identifying promising candidate biomarkers requires validation in a larger cohort.

Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy80/10
Quality70/10
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score2.25
Normalized Score0.66
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