Research Finds Low-Carbohydrate Diet and Self-Management Education Improves Glycaemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes

Strategic Insights -

A recent study conducted by researchers at the ICMR - National Institute of Epidemiology in Chennai, India, has found that dietary modification, particularly a low-carbohydrate diet, and diabetes self-management education (DSME) can improve glycaemic control among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The study, which aimed to assess the effectiveness and feasibility of adopting a low-carbohydrate diet among persons with T2DM, utilized a cluster-randomised trial with a mixed-method process evaluation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that dietary modification, specifically a low-carbohydrate diet, can improve glycaemic control among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
  • Diabetes self-management education (DSME) has also shown promise in improving glycaemic control among individuals with T2DM.
  • The study utilized a cluster-randomised trial with a mixed-method process evaluation to assess the effectiveness and feasibility of adopting a low-carbohydrate diet among persons with T2DM.
  • The study intervention will comprise a personalised nutrition counselling focusing on (i) low-carbohydrate diet and (ii) usual guideline-based care under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NPNCD).
  • The findings of this study will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Statistics:

  • 16 Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs) were randomised to either continue delivering the usual guideline-based care under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NPNCD) or the study intervention.
  • The study aims to determine the effectiveness and feasibility of adopting a low-carbohydrate diet among persons with T2DM.
  • 100% of the participants will be followed up for 12-months post-intervention to assess the long-term benefits of the study intervention.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Research from ICMR - National Institute of Epidemiology in the Area of Type 2 Diabetes Published (Effectiveness of primary care-led low-carbohydrate diet and self-management advice on glycaemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes ...). Health & Medicine Week. October 31, 2025; p 478.
  • Effectiveness of primary care-led low-carbohydrate diet and self-management advice on glycaemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus: protocol of a cluster randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open, 2025,15(10). (BMJ Open - http://bmjopen.bmj.com/).
  • BMJ Publishing Group. A free version of this journal article is available at https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2025-100310.