Type 2 diabetes patients who went on a low-carbohydrate diet saw their insulin production double, potentially eliminating their need for medication, according to a new study published Tuesday in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells become less effective. Insulin is needed to regulate blood sugar levels, and when there is not enough being produced, blood sugar levels rise, causing various diseases linked to Type 2 diabetes.

No conventional drug for Type 2 diabetes has been shown to improve beta cells’ immediate insulin secretion. Beta-cell function usually declines despite treatment with anti-hyperglycemic agents, the researchers wrote in the study.

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“This study shows people with type 2 diabetes on a low-carbohydrate diet can recover their beta-cells, an outcome that cannot be achieved with medication,” Barbara Gower, lead author and professor of nutritional science at the University of Alabama–Birmingham, said in a press release. “People with mild type 2 diabetes who reduce their carbohydrate intake may be able to discontinue medication and enjoy eating meals and snacks that are higher in protein and meet their energy needs.”

Diabetes affects about one in 10 Americans, with Type 2 diabetes accounting for about 90 percent of cases, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Lifestyle changes—including a healthy diet, regular physical activity, and weight management—have been shown to help prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes. […]