A Modified Atkins Diet Helps Patients with Diabetes

A study by New Zealand’s Wellington Hospital indicates the high-fat modified Atkins diet helps diabetes patients lose 22 avg. pounds and improve their diabetes. The study examined the cases of 12 overweight patients with type 2 diabetes brought on by diet and lifestyle. On a modified Atkins diet, the patients lost an average of about 22 pounds in six months, the Wellington Dominion Post reported Monday.

Surprisingly, the researchers said the patients’ glucose tolerance improved significantly, indicating better diabetes control.

"When I went into it, with no published studies, I was expecting we would see it would be harmful," said endocrinologist and lead study author Jeremy Krebs. "I was not surprised people were able to lose weight, but the health parameters all improved more than I expected."

The diet used in the study was a slightly modified version of Atkins, aiming to avoid "bad" saturated fats and eat more mono and polyunsaturated fats.