Last updated September 2, 2026
Key finding
eGFR increased by +5.3% (95% CI 2.1–8.5)
This study compared the safety and effectiveness of low-carbohydrate, Mediterranean, and low-fat diets on renal function in moderately obese individuals with or without type 2 diabetes.
Quick read
The essential study design details in one scan.
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Study type
RCTs
Follow-up
Extended (5–20+ y)
Risk of bias
Some Concerns
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Plain-language summary
A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.
Study focus
This study compared the safety and effectiveness of low-carbohydrate, Mediterranean, and low-fat diets on renal function in moderately obese individuals with or without type 2 diabetes.
These findings are significant for clinicians and patients as they suggest that dietary choices can effectively manage renal health in moderately obese individuals, including those with type 2 diabetes. Understanding that low-carbohydrate diets are as safe as traditional diets can help guide dietary recommendations and improve patient outcomes.
The study's sample size may limit generalizability. Participants were only moderately obese, which may not represent all obesity levels. Long-term effects of the diets were not assessed.
Published in
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Amir T, Rachel G, Ilana H, et al. A low-carbohydrate diet is as safe as Mediterranean or low-fat diets in preserving/improving renal function among moderately obese participants with or without type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2013;36(8):2225-2232. doi:10.2337/dc12-1846
eGFR increased by +5.3% (95% CI 2.1–8.5) in the low-carbohydrate group.
eGFR increased by +5.2% (95% CI 3.0–7.4) in the Mediterranean diet group.
Urine microalbumin-to-creatinine ratio decreased by -24.8 mg/L (P < 0.05) across all diets.
Evidence network
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This study contributes evidence to Low-carbohydrate diet, Low-fat diet, Mediterranean diet and Estimated glomerular filtration rate, Fasting insulin levels, Systolic blood pressure, and 1 more.
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
Low-carbohydrate diet
Primary outcomes
Primary intervention
Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.
Editorial context
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Evidence network role
This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.
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Related topics
12
Evidence pairs
1308
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Primary evidence
Evidence relationship
Related evidence
Evidence relationship
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Evidence relationship
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Core evidence
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
Low-carbohydrate diet → Estimated glomerular filtration rate
Low-carbohydrate diet → Estimated glomerular filtration rate
Low-carbohydrate diet → Fasting insulin levels
Low-carbohydrate diet → Fasting insulin levels
Low-carbohydrate diet → Systolic blood pressure
Low-carbohydrate diet → Systolic blood pressure
Low-carbohydrate diet → Urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio
Low-carbohydrate diet → Urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio
Low-fat diet → Estimated glomerular filtration rate
Low-fat diet → Estimated glomerular filtration rate
Low-fat diet → Urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio
Low-fat diet → Urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio
Mediterranean diet → Estimated glomerular filtration rate
Mediterranean diet → Estimated glomerular filtration rate
Mediterranean diet → Fasting insulin levels
Mediterranean diet → Fasting insulin levels
Mediterranean diet → Systolic blood pressure
Mediterranean diet → Systolic blood pressure
Mediterranean diet → Urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio
Mediterranean diet → Urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio
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Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.
Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.
This study contributes to evidence on Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education and Blood Pressure, Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education and Insulin Resistance.
This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.
Diet and Nutrition
Diet and Nutrition
Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.
All studies measuring Blood Pressure
Measures Blood Pressure as a key outcome.
All studies on Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education
Contributes to Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education evidence base.
All studies measuring Insulin Resistance
Measures Insulin Resistance as a key outcome.
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7 results
6 results
7 results
7 results
6 results
Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.
Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education may improve blood pressure.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
Systolic blood pressure
EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 83.3 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Generally Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 8 supporting studies with generally consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education may improve insulin resistance.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
Fasting insulin levels
EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 82.7 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 12 supporting studies with generally consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Low-fat Diets may improve insulin resistance.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
Fasting insulin levels
EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 78.3 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 3 supporting studies with generally consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education may improve kidney function.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are mixed and should be interpreted cautiously.
Ranked evidence signals
Urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio
EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 69.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Estimated glomerular filtration rate
EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 69.0 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Mixed | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is cautious because the available studies report mixed findings.
Limitations
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