Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- 85
- Strong
- ImpactScore™
- 92
- Very Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 83
- consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 13 studies
Add to Evidence TrackerResearch Summary
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™
Very low-carbohydrate diet improves glycemic control in type 2 diabetes.
Last updated August 22, 2026
Key finding
Participants in the LCK group had greater reductions in HbA1c levels (EMM at baseline=6.6%, at 12 mos=6.1%) than participants in MCCR group (EMM at baseline=6.9%, at 12 mos=6.7%), p=.007.
This study compared the effects of a Very Low-Carbohydrate Ketogenic Diet (LCK) and a Moderate-Carbohydrate, Calorie-Restricted Low-Fat Diet (MCCR) on individuals with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.
Quick read
Study at a glance
The essential study design details in one scan.
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Study type
RCTs
Follow-up
Long-Term (1–5 y)
Risk of bias
Some Concerns
Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.
Plain-language summary
What this paper says
A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.
Study focus
This study compared the effects of a Very Low-Carbohydrate Ketogenic Diet (LCK) and a Moderate-Carbohydrate, Calorie-Restricted Low-Fat Diet (MCCR) on individuals with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.
Clinical relevance
These findings suggest that dietary choices play a crucial role in managing type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. The significant weight loss and improved blood sugar levels associated with the Very Low-Carbohydrate Ketogenic Diet could lead to better long-term health outcomes and reduced reliance on medications, highlighting the importance of personalized dietary interventions in diabetes management.
Keep in mind
The study may have limited generalizability due to specific participant characteristics. Sample sizes for some outcomes were small, potentially affecting the robustness of findings. Long-term effects beyond 12 months were not assessed.
Published in
Journal Reference
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Laura RS, Jennifer JD, Judith TM, et al. Dietary treatment is important in management of type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, but uncertainty exists about the optimal diet. Nutrition & Diabetes. 2017;7(12):304. doi:10.1038/s41387-017-0006-9
Main Effects
Participants in the LCK group had a greater reduction in HbA1c levels (decrease of 0.5%, p=0.007).
Participants in the LCK group lost more weight (average decrease of 7.9 kg, p<0.001).
6 out of 10 participants in the LCK group discontinued diabetes-related medications compared to none in the MCCR group (p=0.005).
Evidence network
How this study fits
Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.
Evidence Context
This study contributes evidence to Low-carbohydrate diet and Body weight, Diabetes medication use change, HbA1c.
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
Low-carbohydrate diet
Primary outcomes
- Body weight
- Diabetes medication use change
- HbA1c
Primary intervention
Primary outcomes
Evidence relationships
Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.
3
Evidence pairs
3
Relationships
4
Evidence topics
contributes_evidence
Editorial context
Why this study matters
See why this paper is useful beyond its individual results.
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.
Moderate contributionModerate confidenceNetwork score: 68
4
Related topics
3
Evidence pairs
1897
Related studies
High relevance in at least one topic
Why it is useful
- Contributes to 3 evidence relationships
- Includes primary outcome data
- Linked to 4 direct semantic evidence topics
Topic contributions
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
Add related evidence to your Evidence Tracker
Save studies and evidence pages, organize your personal Evidence Tracker, and keep the research you care about in one place.
Primary evidence
Evidence relationship
Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education and Body Weight
Related evidence
Evidence relationship
Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education and HbA1c
Save evidence
Evidence topic
Dietary Patterns
Save evidence
Core evidence
Study findings
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
Diabetes medication use change
Low-carbohydrate diet → Diabetes medication use change
Low-carbohydrate diet → Diabetes medication use change
Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- Moderate
- Score 69 · Based on 2 studies
- ImpactScore™
- 100
- Very Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 35
- mixed
Supporting studies: Based on 2 studies
Add to Evidence TrackerEvidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- 86
- Strong
- ImpactScore™
- 82
- Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 65
- generally_consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 24 studies
Add to Evidence TrackerEvidence Library
Build your evidence library
Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.
Evidence Suggest
- LCK diet led to a 0.5% decrease in HbA1c levels compared to MCCR.
- Weight loss was significantly greater in the LCK group, averaging 7.9 kg.
- Discontinuation of diabetes medications was significantly higher in the LCK group.
Who this applies to
- Adults with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.
- Individuals seeking dietary interventions for diabetes management.
Keep in Mind
- Results may not apply to all populations, as the study had specific inclusion criteria.
- The study's duration was limited to 12 months, and long-term effects are unknown.
- Individual responses to dietary changes can vary, and personalized approaches are important.
Between the Lines
- The study may have limited generalizability due to specific participant characteristics.
- Sample sizes for some outcomes were small, potentially affecting the robustness of findings.
- Long-term effects beyond 12 months were not assessed.
Evidence Library
Build your evidence library
Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.
Connected Evidence
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 HbA1c, Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education and Body Weight.
Related evidence relationships
Explore in Evidence ExplorerThis study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.
Diet and Nutrition
Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education → HbA1c
Diet and Nutrition
Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- 86
- Strong
- ImpactScore™
- 82
- Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 65
- generally_consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 24 studies
View evidenceDiet and Nutrition
Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education → Body Weight
Diet and Nutrition
Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- 85
- Strong
- ImpactScore™
- 92
- Very Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 83
- consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 13 studies
View evidenceIncluded in these evidence collections
Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.
HbA1c Evidence Hub
All studies measuring HbA1c
24 studies
outcome_hubMeasures HbA1c as a key outcome.
Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education Evidence Hub
All studies on Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education
24 studies
intervention_hubContributes to Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education evidence base.
Body Weight Evidence Hub
All studies measuring Body Weight
13 studies
outcome_hubMeasures Body Weight as a key outcome.
Explore more in Evidence Explorer
Jump to pre-filtered views in Evidence Explorer.
All studies on Low-carbohydrate diet and HbA1c
Intervention: Low-carbohydrate dietOutcome: HbA1c
24 results
All studies on Low-carbohydrate diet and Body weight
Intervention: Low-carbohydrate dietOutcome: Body weight
13 results
All studies on Low-carbohydrate diet
Intervention: Low-carbohydrate diet
24 results
All studies measuring HbA1c
Outcome: HbA1c
24 results
All studies measuring Body weight
Outcome: Body weight
13 results
Questions answered by this study
Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.
Does Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education affect body weight?
Strong Evidence
Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education appears to affect body weight.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
- 1
Body weight
EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 85.4 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 17 supporting studies with consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Does Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education lower HbA1c?
Strong Evidence
Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education may lower HbA1c.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
- 1
HbA1c
EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 86.0 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Generally Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 28 supporting studies with generally consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Does Low-carbohydrate diet improve diabetes medication use change?
Moderate Evidence
Low-carbohydrate diet appears to improve diabetes medication use change.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are mixed and should be interpreted cautiously.
Evidence caveat: The available evidence reports mixed findings.
Ranked evidence signals
- 1
Diabetes medication use change
EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 69.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Mixed | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is cautious because the available studies report mixed findings.
Limitations
- Only one supporting study is available.
Next steps
Continue your research
Choose a next path through related evidence topics, Evidence Explorer views, and research summaries.
Evidence topics
Follow the topics this study contributes to.
Explore in Evidence Explorer
Open broader Evidence Explorer views for this relationship.
Related research
Read related research summaries.
Carbohydrate restriction lowers HbA1c but not β-cell function in T2DFood-based diet improves weight and glycaemic control in type 2 diabetesModerate Carbohydrate Diet Improves Glycemic Control in Type 1 DiabetesKetogenic diet improves weight and blood glucose control in type 2 diabetesLow-Carbohydrate Diet Improves Glycemic Control in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes
No ads. No tracking.
Focused on evidence, not advertising.
Secure & private
Your data is always protected.
Always up to date
New studies added every day.