Low-carb/high-fat weight loss diets may actually increase the risk of type 2 diabetes

The global trend toward low-carb, high-fat diets for weight loss can actually increase a person’s risk of developing diabetes by as much as 20%, according to a 17-year study of nearly 40,000 Melburnians.

Published in the magazine Diabetes and metabolic syndrome: clinical research and reviews, the study by Monash University and RMIT University researchers, led by Distinguished Professor Barbora de Courten OAM together with Ph.D. student Robel Kabthymer, will likely lead to an overhaul of nutritional approaches for those who want to lose weight and avoid diabetes.

Nearly 1.3 million, or one in 20 Australians, have diabetes, although the actual figure is expected to be higher due to undiagnosed disease.

The study used data from almost 40,000 Melburnians aged 40-69, who were recruited into the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study (MCCS) between 1990 and 1994. Their health was then assessed in 1995-1998 and 2003-2007.

The Monash and RMIT team analyzed the percentage of carbohydrates in the diet and linked this to the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

The Low Carbohydrate Score (LCD) was calculated at baseline as the percentage of energy from carbohydrates, fats and proteins. The higher the score, the less the percentage of carbohydrates contributes to energy intake. Specifically, the study found that those whose diets contained 38% carbohydrates had a 20% increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those whose diets contained 55% carbohydrates. The research suggests that this increased risk of diabetes is due to the increased incidence of obesity.

According to Professor de Courten, this study is the first to look at the long-term effects of a low-carb diet on chronic diseases based on Australian data.

“We know that high-carb diets, which are highly processed, low in fiber and high in refined sugars, can lead to weight gain. Additionally, the highly refined carbohydrates can lead to increased insulin secretion and insulin resistance, leading to type 2 diabetes,” she said.

“But studies to date have only focused on investigating low carbohydrate diets for the management and/or remission of type 2 diabetes. Instead, this study shows that low carbohydrate dietary intake reduces the long-term risk of type 2 diabetes. due to obesity could increase, possibly due to obesity.” eating more fats and low-fiber foods. Our study also highlights the need to look at the quality of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.”

Therefore, a balanced diet with minimally processed carbohydrates, rich in fiber, healthy mono- and polyunsaturated fats with adequate protein intake from fish and seafood, white meat and legumes, as seen in a Mediterranean diet, may be the optimal diet to treat type 3 to prevent. 2 diabetes.