title: A randomised trial of the feasibility of a low carbohydrate diet vs standard carbohydrate counting in adults with type 1 diabetes taking body weight into account.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of a low carbohydrate diet and standard carbohydrate counting on glycaemic control, glucose excursions and daily insulin use compared with standard carbohydrate counting in participants with type 1 diabetes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants (n=10) with type 1 diabetes using a basal; bolus insulin regimen, who attended a secondary care clinic, were randomly allocated (1:1) to either a standard carbohydrate counting course or the same course with added information on following a carbohydrate restricted diet (75 g per day). Participants attended visits at baseline and 12 weeks for measurements of weight, height, blood pressure, HbA1c, lipid profile and creatinine. They also completed a 3-day food diary and had 3 days of continuous subcutaneous glucose monitoring.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The carbohydrate restricted group had significant reductions in HbA1c (63 to 55 mmol/mol (8.9-8.2%), p<0.05) and daily insulin use (64.4 to 44.2 units/day, p<0.05) and non-significant reductions in body weight (83.2 to 78.0 kg). There were no changes in blood pressure, creatinine or lipid profile and all outcomes in the carbohydrate counting group were unchanged. There was no change in glycaemic variability as measured by the mean amplitude of glycaemic excursion in either group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A low carbohydrate diet is a feasible option for people with type 1 diabetes, and may be of benefit in reducing insulin doses and improving glycaemic control, particularly for those wishing to lose weight.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Otago Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Jeremy D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Krebs
authors.affiliation: Endocrine Diabetes and Research Centre, Capital and Coast Health, Wellington, New Zealand. Email: amber.parry-strong@ccdhb.org.nz.
authors.forename: Amber
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parry Strong
authors.affiliation: Endocrine Diabetes and Research Centre, Capital and Coast Health, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Pip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cresswell
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Andrew N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.affiliation: Endocrine Diabetes and Research Centre, Capital and Coast Health, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Aoife
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hanna
authors.affiliation: Endocrine Diabetes and Research Centre, Capital and Coast Health, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Sylvan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Haeusler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001835:Body Weight; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D050528:Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011788:Quality of Life
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D003404:Creatinine; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids