Benefits of the Low Carb Program for those with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes identified in new study

Research into the effectiveness of the digital Low Carb Program has found it helps those with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes with glycaemic control and weight loss.

New research has examined the impact of the Program, which focuses on goal setting, peer support, and behavioural self-monitoring.

The research study reported the outcomes of 45 people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes who started the Low Carb Program. All participants finished at least 40% of the program’s modules, and 71% of participants completed the program which was defined as completing at least 9 of the program’s 12 core modules.

Participants with type 2 diabetes who completed the program reported an average HbA1c reduction of 7 mmol/mol and a 3.66% body weight loss (-3.54kg) at 12-months.

Participants with prediabetes who completed the program reported an average HbA1c reduction of 3 mmol/mol and a 4.57% body weight loss (-4.08kg) at 12-months.

After 12 months of following the Low Carb Program, more than 80% of the participants remained engaged with the platform.

Charlotte Summers, lead author of the paper alongside Dr Simon Tobin and Dr David Unwin, commented: “We are delighted to show the impact of the Low Carb Program in an NHS primary care setting. Weight management is such an important topic right now, particularly because adults with excess weight are at even greater risk during the pandemic. It’s brilliant to see that the Low Carb Program can support people to sustainably lose weight from the comfort of their home.”

The team said further research into the impact of the Low Carb Program could strengthen the understanding of how participants engage with the app, as well as identifying other possible health benefits.

The authors of the study, Evaluation of the Low Carb Program Digital Intervention for the Self-Management of Type 2 Diabetes and Prediabetes in an NHS England General Practice: Single-Arm Prospective Study, are Charlotte Summers from DDM Health, Dr Simon Tobin and Dr David Unwin, both from Norwood Surgery in Southport.

To read the full study, click here.