Hansen Camilla Dalby, Gram-Kampmann Eva-Marie, Hansen Johanne Kragh, Hugger Mie Balle, Madsen Bjørn Stæhr, Jensen Jane Møller, Olesen Sara, Torp Nikolaj, Rasmussen Ditlev Nytoft, Kjærgaard Maria, Johansen Stine, Lindvig Katrine Prier, Andersen Peter, Thorhauge Katrine Holtz, Brønd Jan Christian, Hermann Pernille, Beck-Nielsen Henning, Detlefsen Sönke, Hansen Torben, Højlund Kurt, Thiele Maja Sofie, Israelsen Mads, Krag Aleksander
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Odense University Hospital, and Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark (C.D.H., M.B.H., N.T., M.K., S.J., K.H.T., M.S.T.).
Steno Diabetes Center Odense, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark (E.M.G., H.B., K.H.).
Ann Intern Med. 2023 Jan;176(1):10-21. doi: 10.7326/M22-1787. Epub 2022 Dec 13.
BACKGROUND: It remains unclear if a low-carbohydrate, high-fat (LCHF) diet is a possible treatment strategy for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and the effect on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has not been investigated. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of a calorie-unrestricted LCHF diet, with no intention of weight loss, on T2DM and NAFLD compared with a high-carbohydrate, low-fat (HCLF) diet. DESIGN: 6-month randomized controlled trial with a 3-month follow-up. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03068078). SETTING: Odense University Hospital in Denmark from November 2016 until June 2020. PARTICIPANTS: 165 participants with T2DM. INTERVENTION: Two calorie-unrestricted diets: LCHF diet with 50 to 60 energy percent (E%) fat, less than 20E% carbohydrates, and 25E% to 30E% proteins and HCLF diet with 50E% to 60E% carbohydrates, 20E% to 30E% fats, and 20E% to 25E% proteins. MEASUREMENTS: Glycemic control, serum lipid levels, metabolic markers, and liver biopsies to assess NAFLD. RESULTS: The mean age was 56 years (SD, 10), and 58% were women. Compared with the HCLF diet, participants on the LCHF diet had greater improvements in hemoglobin A (mean difference in change, -6.1 mmol/mol [95% CI, -9.2 to -3.0 mmol/mol] or -0.59% [CI, -0.87% to -0.30%]) and lost more weight (mean difference in change, -3.8 kg [CI, -6.2 to -1.4 kg]). Both groups had higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lower triglycerides at 6 months. Changes in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were less favorable in the LCHF diet group than in the HCLF diet group (mean difference in change, 0.37 mmol/L [CI, 0.17 to 0.58 mmol/L] or 14.3 mg/dL [CI, 6.6 to 22.4 mg/dL]). No statistically significant between-group changes were detected in the assessment of NAFLD. Changes were not sustained at the 9-month follow-up. LIMITATION: Open-label trial, self-reported adherence, unintended weight loss, and lack of adjustment for multiple comparisons. CONCLUSION: Persons with T2DM on a 6-month, calorie-unrestricted, LCHF diet had greater clinically meaningful improvements in glycemic control and weight compared with those on an HCLF diet, but the changes were not sustained 3 months after intervention. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: Novo Nordisk Foundation.
Am J Clin Nutr. 2015-7-29
Ann Intern Med. 2014-9-2