In recent years, the popularity of the paleo diet has skyrocketed, with many of its proponents touting health benefits including weight loss, improved blood pressure, and more. When it comes to the impact of the paleo diet in people with type 2 diabetes specifically, clinical research remains limited to a few small, short-term trials.
A recent review of available research suggests the paleo diet may be an effective tool for helping people with type 2 diabetes lose weight, improve blood sugar control, increase insulin sensitivity, and reduce their triglycerides.
It’s possible that paleo-friendly foods may be better suited for a type 2 diabetes diet than other foods, says Lynda Frassetto, MD, a nephrologist at UCSF Medical Center in San Francisco. “We believe there are multiple factors involved, including more fiber, leading to decreased uptake of sugar from the intestines, more micronutrients and antioxidants, and potentially a healthier impact on gut microflora,” says Dr. Frassetto.
People with type 2 diabetes who follow a paleo diet may find that it helps them better control their blood sugar, says Melissa Joy Dobbins, RDN, CDCES, founder of Sound Bites in Wilmette, Illinois. “You’re hardly eating anything that would raise your blood sugar,” says Dobbins. “You’re really restricting carbohydrates, and that can keep your blood sugar down.”
Plus, the natural volume of whole foods may help you feel fuller on fewer calories and thus support weight loss efforts, which can also help people with type 2 diabetes who are overweight minimize their risk of complications.
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