The American Diabetes Association (ADA) just released an updated position statement in conjunction with the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) which deems a low carb diet as Medical Nutrition Therapy for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes in adults [1]. In fact, the joint position paper approves a diet of <130 g of carbs and states that a diet of >130 g carbs is ineffective for managing T2D.
The American Diabetes Association is responsible for educating over 30 million Americans diagnosed with Diabetes and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) is responsible for overseeing the care of over 60 million Europeans and both now consider a low carbohydrate of < 130 g of carbohydrate not only safe, but effective therapeutic treatment. This recognition comes on the heels of Diabetes Australia having just released in late August their own updated position paper designed to provide practical advice and information for people diagnosed with Diabetes who are considering adopting a low carbohydrate eating plan [2].
What is Medical Nutrition Therapy?
Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) is defined as;
”nutritional diagnostic, therapy and counseling services for the purpose of disease management, which are furnished by a Registered Dietitian or nutrition professional” [3].
The American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes preface their updated position statement by saying;
“A systematic evaluation of the literature since 2014 informed new recommendations.”
That is, upon a review of the most current research, these two organizations have updated their prior position statements and now consider a low carbohydrate diet defined as <26%* of daily calories as carbohydrate [1] is suitable for the purpose of disease management of Type 2 Diabetes in adults.
*Note: based on an 1800-2000 calorie per day diet this amount of daily carbohydrate would be less than < 113-125 g daily. In fact, the position paper concludes that carbohydrate restriction of 26—45% is ineffective.
The new joint position statement elaborates that Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) is made up of an education component and a support component in order to enable patients to adopt healthy eating patterns with the purpose of “managing blood glucose and cardiovascular risk factors” and “reducing the risk for Diabetes-related complications while preserving the pleasure of eating” [1]. The paper defines the two basic dimensions of MNT as diet quality and energy restriction and outlines the benefits of a low carbohydrate diet in the section on diet quality.
Furthermore, the joint consensus paper lists under diet quality (Table 2, page 13) which is one of the aspects of Medical Nutrition Therapy, several diets considered suitable for adults with Type 2 Diabetes, including a low carbohydrate diet.
This move has far-reaching significance!
It moves a low carbohydrate diet from the realm of a popular lifestyle approach to Medical Nutrition Therapy.
Most importantly, this consensus paper means that qualified healthcare professionals throughout the USA and Europe can now recommend a low carbohydrate diet to their adult patients in order to enable them to manage their Type 2 Diabetes. This is a huge step forward from only being able to provide such a diet based on person’s individual preference to follow a low carbohydrate lifestyle.
Publication of this paper indicates that the current scientific literature supports that a low carbohydrate is safe and effective in lowering metabolic markers of Type 2 Diabetes, as well as delaying or eliminating the need for blood-glucose lowering medications for up to 4 years [1].
Some final thoughts…
The American Diabetes Association, European Association for the Study of Diabetes and Diabetes Australia have collectively led the way for international Diabetes Associations the world over to re-evaluate their own treatment and dietary recommendations in light of the most current scientific evidence and update their position statements regarding the safe and effective use of low carbohydrate diets in the management of Type 2 Diabetes in adults.
Here’s hoping this will occur in a timely manner.
Perhaps you have wanted to follow a low carbohydrate lifestyle and have questions about how such a diet could help you manage some of your clinical conditions or lose weight. Please send me a note using the Contact Me form above and I will reply as soon as I am able.
Whether you live locally or away, I provide services in-person in my Coquitlam (British Columbia) office, as well as via Distance Consultation (Skype or phone). You can find more information under the Services tab and in the Shop including the Intake and Service Option form to send in to get started.
To your good health!
Joy
you can follow me at:
https://www.facebook.com/lchfRD/
Copyright ©2018 The LCHF-Dietitian (a division of BetterByDesign Nutrition Ltd.)
LEGAL NOTICE: The contents of this blog, including text, images and cited statistics as well as all other material contained here (the ”content”) are for information purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, medical diagnosis and/or treatment and is not suitable for self-administration without the knowledge of your physician and regular monitoring by your physician. Do not disregard medical advice and always consult your physician with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or before implementing anything you have read or heard in our content.
References
- Davies M.J., D’Alessio D.A., Fradkin J., et al, Management of Hyperglycemia
in Type 2 Diabetes, 2018. A Consensus Report by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), Diabetes Care, October 2018, https://doi.org/10.2337/dci18-0033
Click here for pdf of the full article. - Diabetes Australia, Low Carbohydrate Eating for People with Diabetes — Position Statement, August 2018, https://www.diabetesqld.org.au/media-centre/2018/august/low-carb-position-statement.aspx and https://www.diabetesqld.org.au/media/583017/da-low-carb-statement-21-august-2018.pdf
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Final MNT regulations. CMS-1169-FC. Federal Register, 1 November 2001. 42 CFR Parts 405, 410, 411, 414, and 415