When the medical system was ready to write me off, I found my own way forward
Topic
Low-Carb
Reducing Carbohydrates for Better Health
Low-carb refers to any dietary approach that significantly reduces carbohydrate intake compared to standard recommendations. While definitions vary, low-carb typically means getting 10-30% of calories from carbohydrates (roughly 50-150g per day), compared to the 45-60% recommended in official dietary guidelines. This broad category includes everything from moderate carb reduction to very low-carb and ketogenic diets. The core principle is simple: by eating fewer carbohydrates, you need less insulin, experience more stable blood sugar, and make it easier for your body to access stored fat for energy. For people with diabetes or insulin resistance, even moderate carb reduction can bring significant improvements in blood sugar control, often allowing reduction or elimination of medications.
Article (2)
The studies that blamed saturated fat? They actually showed vegetable oils increased death rates. Then the data disappeared for 40 years.
Research (8)
Lower-carb diets in type 1 diabetes are linked to better HbA1c and lower insulin needs, with no changes in LDL, HDL, or triglycerides. Very‑low and low‑carb studies most often hit the ADA HbA1c target of less than 7%
A nurse‑delivered, real‑food low‑energy, low‑carb plan led to far greater weight loss and HbA1c reductions in 12 weeks than usual care. Short‑term cardiometabolic markers and medication use improved too.
Reducing carbs can markedly improve blood sugar and cut insulin needs in diabetes; strong long‑term trials are the missing piece.
This paper argues that restricting carbs should be the first-line diet for diabetes because it quickly lowers blood sugar, improves key health markers, and often reduces medications—without proven long‑term harms comparable to drugs.
Lower‑carb guidance in a UK GP practice led to 46% drug‑free type 2 diabetes remission and 93% normalization of prediabetes, with significant drops in HbA1c, weight, BP, and triglycerides.
Low-carb diets match or beat low-fat for Type 2 diabetes—often cutting meds and improving HbA1c—without evidence of increased cardiovascular risk.
The ADA’s consensus report signals a major shift by confirming that personalized nutrition—including low-carbohydrate diets—demonstrates the most evidence for immediate blood sugar control, validating flexible eating plans over the old 'one-size-fits-all' standard
Therapeutic carbohydrate reduction (low-carb to very low‑carb) in type 1 diabetes can lower blood sugars, reduce insulin needs, and improve A1C—often with fewer highs and lows—when done with proper medical oversight. This comprehensive guide (96 page) available in full text is an excellent paper to bring to your doctor.