A GP guide to reversing diabetes with low-carb diets
With a growing evidence base, GPs can be confident in recommending carbohydrate restriction as a safe and effective option for 'diabesity'
The concepts of diabetes reversal and remission are rarely discussed in general practice.
The RACGP guidelines for the management of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) describe diabetes as a chronic and progressive disease to be managed rather than reversed.1
Usual care revolves around diet, lifestyle and medication — ideally supported by a multidisclipinary team, consisting of the GP and numerous allied health professionals, with specialist support.
Despite support from the multidiscliplinary team, outcomes from usual care rarely include reversal.2 Even intensive lifestyle interventions result in, at best, modest remission rates of 11% at one year and 7% at four years.3
