Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- 83
- Strong
- ImpactScore™
- 92
- Very Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 83
- consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 6 studies
Add to Evidence TrackerResearch Summary
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™
Very low carbohydrate diet improves metabolic markers in diabetic kidney disease patients
Last updated September 12, 2026
Key finding
Weight decreased by -4.0 kg (IQR 3.9) in VLCBD vs 0.2 kg (IQR 4.2) in LPD, p=<0.001.
This study evaluated the metabolic effects of a very low carbohydrate diet (VLCBD) in patients with diabetic kidney disease compared to a standard low protein diet (LPD). VLCBD resulted in significant weight loss and reductions in waist circumference and inflammatory markers.
Quick read
Study at a glance
The essential study design details in one scan.
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Study type
RCTs
Follow-up
Short-Term (≤3 mo)
Risk of bias
Some Concerns
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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 evaluated the metabolic effects of a very low carbohydrate diet (VLCBD) in patients with diabetic kidney disease compared to a standard low protein diet (LPD). VLCBD resulted in significant weight loss and reductions in waist circumference and inflammatory markers.
Clinical relevance
These findings are significant as they suggest that a very low carbohydrate diet may be an effective dietary intervention for managing weight and inflammation in patients with diabetic kidney disease. This could lead to improved health outcomes and quality of life for this vulnerable population.
Keep in mind
The study's sample size and demographic characteristics may limit generalizability. The long-term effects of VLCBD were not assessed. Potential confounding factors were not fully controlled.
Published in
Journal Reference
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Nur AZ, Chen XW, Rohana AG, Nafeeza MI, Nazrul HI. The metabolic effects of very low carbohydrate diet in diabetic kidney disease patients: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the Endocrine Society. 2022;6(Suppl 2):A325-A326. doi:10.1210/jendso/bvac150.674
Main Effects
VLCBD resulted in a weight decrease of -4.0 kg (p=<0.001) compared to LPD.
BMI decreased by -1.5 (p=<0.001) in VLCBD, while LPD showed no significant change.
Waist circumference decreased by -4.0 cm (p=0.003) in VLCBD.
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, Standard diet and BMI, Body weight, HbA1c, and 3 more.
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
Low-carbohydrate diet
Primary outcomes
- BMI
- Body weight
- HbA1c
Evidence topics
Primary intervention
Primary outcomes
Evidence relationships
Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.
8
Evidence pairs
8
Relationships
7
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
7
Related topics
8
Evidence pairs
2463
Related studies
High relevance in at least one topic
Why it is useful
- Contributes to 8 evidence relationships
- Includes primary outcome data
- Linked to 7 direct semantic evidence topics
Topic contributions
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
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Primary evidence
Evidence relationship
Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education and Body Weight
Related evidence
Evidence relationship
Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education and Body Composition
Save evidence
Evidence relationship
Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education and HbA1c
Save evidence
Core evidence
Study findings
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- 85
- Strong
- ImpactScore™
- 92
- Very Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 83
- consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 13 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 Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- Emerging
- Score 59 · Based on 1 study
- ImpactScore™
- 100
- Very Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- unclear
- Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence TrackerPhysical activity level (MET-minutes per week)
Low-carbohydrate diet → Physical activity level (MET-minutes per week)
Low-carbohydrate diet → Physical activity level (MET-minutes per week)
Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- Moderate
- Score 69 · Based on 2 studies
- ImpactScore™
- 50
- Neutral
- ConsistencyScore™
- 35
- mixed
Supporting studies: Based on 2 studies
Add to Evidence TrackerWaist circumference
Low-carbohydrate diet → Waist circumference
Low-carbohydrate diet → Waist circumference
Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- 86
- Strong
- ImpactScore™
- 94
- Very Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 88
- consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 8 studies
Add to Evidence TrackerEvidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- Emerging
- Score 59 · Based on 1 study
- ImpactScore™
- 50
- Neutral
- ConsistencyScore™
- unclear
- Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence TrackerEvidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- 78
- Strong
- ImpactScore™
- 67
- Slightly Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 67
- generally_consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 3 studies
Add to Evidence TrackerEvidence Library
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Evidence Suggest
- VLCBD led to a significant weight loss of -4 kg (p=<0.001).
- Waist circumference decreased by -4 cm in VLCBD (p=0.003).
- IL-6 inflammatory marker decreased by -1.53 pg/mL in VLCBD (p=0.028).
Who this applies to
- Adults with diabetic kidney disease.
- Patients seeking dietary interventions for weight management.
Keep in Mind
- Results may not apply to populations outside the study's demographic.
- The study did not evaluate the long-term sustainability of VLCBD.
- Further research is needed to confirm these findings in larger cohorts.
Between the Lines
- The study's sample size and demographic characteristics may limit generalizability.
- The long-term effects of VLCBD were not assessed.
- Potential confounding factors were not fully controlled.
Evidence Library
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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 Composition.
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 Composition
Diet and Nutrition
Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- 86
- Strong
- ImpactScore™
- 94
- Very Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 88
- consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 8 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.
Body Composition Evidence Hub
All studies measuring Body Composition
8 studies
outcome_hubMeasures Body Composition 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 Waist circumference
Intervention: Low-carbohydrate dietOutcome: Waist circumference
8 results
All studies on Low-carbohydrate diet
Intervention: Low-carbohydrate diet
24 results
All studies measuring HbA1c
Outcome: HbA1c
24 results
All studies measuring Waist circumference
Outcome: Waist circumference
8 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 improve body composition?
Strong Evidence
Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education appears to improve body composition.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
- 1
Waist circumference
EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 85.9 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 8 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 Education affect body mass index?
Strong Evidence
Low-Carbohydrate Diet Education appears to affect body mass index.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
- 1
BMI
EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 83.3 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 7 supporting studies with consistent results and a positive effect signal.
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