To review international nutrition recommendations with a special emphasis on carbohydrate and fiber, analyze clinical trial information, and provide an evidence-based recommendation for medical nutrition therapy for individuals with diabetes. Relevant articles were identified by a thorough review of the literature and the data tabulated. Fixed-effects meta-analyses techniques were used to obtai...

Long-term studies have found that low-carbohydrate diets are more effective for weight loss than calorie-restricted diets in the short term but equally or only marginally more effective in the long term. Low-carbohydrate diets have been linked to reduced glycogen stores and increased feelings of fatigue. We propose that reduced physical activity in response to lowered glycogen explains the dimi...

Background: Overweight and obesity are a global crisis. Lifestyle interventions, including weight loss diets, are the first line treatment for this problem. In addition to energy restriction, some diets emphasize manipulation of macronutrient composition to promote weight loss. Such diets may be broadly classified into low fat and low carbohydrate diets. Objective: This meta-analysis was design...

Americans spend dollar 33 billion annually on weight loss products and services, and a large portion of this money is spent on low-carbohydrate diets. Because of their higher protein and fat content and lower fiber and carbohydrate content, concerns have been raised about the potential health consequences of low-carbohydrate diets. Published long-term data are lacking. Short-term studies compar...

Richard D. Feinman, PhD, is Professor of Biochemistry at State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, co-editor-in-chief of the journal Nutrition & Metabolism, and Director of the Nutrition and Metabolism Society (www.nmsociety.org). Diabetes may be described as a disease of glucose intolerance: high blood glucose is both the characteristic indicator and the cause of complications. Th...

• Background: Many patients are asking about weight reduction diets publicized in the lay press, such as “Protein Power,” “Sugar Busters,” and “Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution.” A common theme of these diets is the restriction of carbohydrate intake. • Objective: To summarize the published medical literature regarding very low carbohydrate (< 40 g/day) diets. • Methods: A MEDLINE search and han...

Abstract Diet has been central for the management of type 1 diabetes over three thousand years, and discovery insulin in 1921 was associated with introduction formal dietary education. Carbohydrate soon identified as macronutrient responsible postprandial glucose excursions past one hundred interventions have alternated between severe carbohydrate restriction so‐called free diets. The very low ...