Purpose of review: Carbohydrate (CHO)-restricted dietary patterns (very-low-CHO < 25-50 g CHO/day; low CHO 50-130 g CHO/day) and physical activity are used for weight loss and type 2 diabetes (T2D) prevention and management. This review discusses evidence for effects of these lifestyle therapies on body weight and glycemic control.
Recent findings: Evidence supports the view that CHO-restricted interventions may be more effective than high-CHO, low-fat (HCLF) interventions in the short term for weight loss and glycemic control, but both produced similar levels of weight loss and glycemic control by 12 months. CHO-restricted dietary patterns resulted in a decreased use of diabetes medications. Benefits of CHO restriction were achieved at intakes that did not induce ketosis. Physical activity increases insulin sensitivity and reduces pancreatic beta-cell load, enhancing the effect of weight loss to delay or prevent T2D. A CHO-restricted dietary pattern may be a reasonable option for weight loss and T2D management for some individuals. Physical activity enhances weight management and cardiometabolic health.
Keywords: Carbohydrate-restricted; Diabetes; Dietary patterns; Glycemic control; Physical activity; Weight loss.