Effect of a 6-month low-carbohydrate diet on the circulating fatty acid composition in patients with type 2 diabetes: a secondary analysis of an open-label randomized controlled trial.
Am J Clin NutrAug 14, 2026 (epub)
Julie Lind Pilegaard Rasmussen, Eva-Marie Gram-Kampmann, Jacob Volmer Stidsen et al.
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In 30 seconds
This open-label randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of a 6-month low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) on circulating fatty acid composition in 71 adults with type 2 diabetes. The LCD significantly reduced total saturated fatty acids by 0.6 wt% and increased total polyunsaturated fatty acids by 1.3 wt% compared to a control diet, suggesting a cardioprotective shift in fatty acid profiles.
Key findings
- LCD reduced total saturated fatty acids by -0.6 wt% compared to control (CI: -0.9, -0.2).
- LCD increased total polyunsaturated fatty acids by 1.3 wt% compared to control (CI: 0.6, 2.0).
- Palmitoleic acid decreased by 23% in the LCD group (CI: -0.21, -0.06).
- Estimated desaturase activities improved, with stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1 decreasing by -0.5 (CI: -0.7, -0.2).
Why it matters
Understanding how dietary interventions like low-carbohydrate diets affect fatty acid profiles can inform strategies to reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with type 2 diabetes, a population at high risk for such complications.