Type 2 diabetes represents a significant burden to both the individual and our healthcare system. Individuals with type 2 diabetes are typically prescribed one or more glucose-lowering medications, many of which have undesirable side effects (e.g., nausea, risk of cardiovascular complications, weight gain) and cost our healthcare system a lot of money. An alternative strategy to lower blood glucose is to consume a low-carbohydrate diet. However, adjusting medications after choosing to follow a low-carbohydrate diet can be difficult. Delivering a low-carbohydrate diet through pharmacists could circumvent this difficulty in medications adjustment because pharmacists are trained to adjust medications. In this study the investigators will determine whether type 2 diabetes patients can reduce medications and improve blood glucose by following a low-carbohydrate, low-calorie diet under the direction of a pharmacist.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
188
The pharmacist or pharmacy lifestyle coach will work with the participant to develop a diet plan that is low in carbohydrate and energy-restricted based on personal preferences and characteristics. A combination of pre-packaged low-carbohydrate foods and whole foods from pre-specified lists will be used.
University of British Columbia
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
Proportion of participants not on glucose-lowering medications
Number of individuals taking no medications divided by the total number of participants.
Time frame: 12 weeks
Hemoglobin A1C
Blood test to measure glucose control
Time frame: 12 weeks
Reduction in glucose-lowering medications
Reduction in total dose of glucose-lowering medications
Time frame: 12 weeks
Body mass index
Body mass in kilograms divided by height in meters squared.
Time frame: 12 weeks
Waist circumference
Waist circumference in centimeters
Time frame: 12 weeks
Body fat percentage
Body fat percentage measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis
Time frame: 12 weeks
Body mass
Body mass in kg
Time frame: 12 weeks
Health related quality of life
Short-form (SF)-20 questionnaire
Time frame: 12 weeks
Reduction in non-glucose lowering medications
Dose of medications other than glucose-lowering
Time frame: 12 weeks
Blood lipid profile
triglycerides, HDL and LDL cholesterol
Time frame: 12 weeks
Fasting insulin
Fasting insulin
Time frame: 12 weeks
Fasting C-peptide
fasting C-peptide
Time frame: 12 weeks
C-reactive protein
Fasting high-sensitivity C-reactive protein
Time frame: 12 weeks
Liver enzymes
liver alanine amino transferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-gluatmyl transpeptidase
Time frame: 12 weeks
Fasting plasma glucose
Fasting plasma glucose
Time frame: 12 weeks
Systolic Blood Pressure
Systolic Blood Pressure measured by automatic cuff
Time frame: 12 weeks
Diastolic Blood Pressure
Diastolic Blood Pressure measured by automatic cuff
Time frame: 12 weeks
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