Intermittent Carbohydrate Restriction Effects on Glycemic Control and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Obese Type 2 Diabetic Patients : A Phayakkhaphumphisai District Study

Abstract

Abstract

            This study aimed to compare the effects of intermittent carbohydrate restriction (ICR) for 2 days/week and 4 days/week versus a control group on glycemic control, cardiovascular risk factors, and quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity in Phayakkhaphumphisai District, Mahasarakha Province, A 20-week randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted with 40 participants equally assigned to three groups. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA.

            Results showed that the 4-day ICR group significantly reduced HbA1c from 7.4% to 6.2% (p<0.001) and lost an average of 5.4 kg. The 2-day ICR group also showed improvement. Diabetes remission (DM remission) occurred in 28.57% of both ICR groups, while the control group showed none. In terms of quality of life, the 4-day ICR group had the highest SF-36 scores across all domains. Common side effects included hunger and fatigue.

            It is recommended that intermittent carbohydrate restriction be promoted as a viable and safe dietary approach for managing type 2 diabetes with obesity in primary care settings in Area.

Keywords : Intermittent carbohydrate restriction, Type 2 diabetes, Diabetes remission, Quality of life