Low-carb diet can help reverse type-2 diabetes in older patients

Following a low-carb diet has shown promise in reversing type 2 diabetes, and new research suggests it could also help the hardest-to-treat patients to replace their medication with the diet.

Currently over four million people in the UK suffer from type 2 diabetes, which is linked to poor lifestyle and obesity. An additional seven million have prediabetes, an underdiagnosed condition which means they are up to 15 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.

Older patients who have had the condition for many years have long been considered the hardest patients to treat, partly due to age-related deterioration of the kidneys and liver, which makes it more difficult for them to process diabetes medication. This then raises the risk of complications such as hypoglycaemia – low blood sugar levels which can cause dizziness and confusion, leading to falls.

However, new research published in the BMJ Nutrition, Prevention and Health journal, shows that even in this hard-to-treat group, adopting a low-carb diet can reverse the condition, making medication unnecessary.

Karen Davies, Diabetes UK’s senior clinical advisor, said “It’s important that people considering a low-carb option do so with the support of their healthcare team. They will monitor any impact on your diabetes management, such as the need to reduce medications to avoid the risk of hypoglycaemia and ensure you have sufficient fibre and nutrients.

“The best advice for anyone looking to make lifestyle changes is to find a diet that they can stick to, and to approach any change in a safe and sustainable way.”

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Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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