Free Paper: Dietary carbohydrate restriction in type 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome: time for a critical appraisal

Abstract (provisional)
Current nutritional approaches to metabolism syndrome and type 2 diabetes
generally rely on reductions in dietary fat. The success of such approaches
has been limited and therapy more generally relies on pharmacology. The
argument is made that a re-evaluation of the role of carbohydrate
restriction, the historical and intuitive approach to the problem, may
provide an alternative and possibly superior dietary strategy. The rationale
is based on the accepted idea that carbohydrate restriction improves
glycemic control and reduces insulin fluctuations which are primary targets.
Experiments are summarized showing that carbohydrate-restricted diets are at
least as effective for weight loss as low-fat diets and that substitution of
fat for carbohydrate is generally beneficial for risk of cardiovascular
disease. These positive effects of carbohydrate restriction do not require
weight loss. Finally, the point is re-iterated that carbohydrate restriction
improves all of the features of metabolic syndrome.

http://www.nutritionandmetabolism.com/content/5/1/9