In one study, 47 out of 100 people using a low-carbohydrate diet reversed diabetes in 3 months.
"In one study, it showed that 47 people out of 100 using low carb can actually reverse diabetes in 3 months." (said at 0:14:40)
The claim likely refers to landmark clinical trial findings such as the DiRECT trial, in which 46% (68 of 149) of adults with type 2 diabetes achieved remission at 12 months. However, that intervention was an intensive low-energy total diet replacement formula (825–853 kcal/day) followed for 3 to 5 months, not a standard low-carbohydrate diet, with the primary remission outcome assessed at 12 months. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials of low-carbohydrate diets found that low-carbohydrate diets achieved diabetes remission in 57% of participants at 6 months compared to 31% on control diets, though remission rates diminished at 12 months.
- context: Primary care-led weight management for remission of type 2 diabetes (DiRECT): an open-labe… (Lancet (London, England) 2018) · cited 2097x in the literature
"The intervention comprised withdrawal of antidiabetic and antihypertensive drugs, total diet replacement (825-853 kcal/day formula diet for 3-5 months), stepped food reintroduction (2-8 weeks), and structured support for long-term weight loss maintenance... Diabetes remission was achieved in 68 (46%) participants in the intervention group and six (4%) participants in the control group (odds ratio 19·7, 95% CI 7·8-49·8; p<0·0001)." (abstract, results, passage verified)
pubmedfull study (doi) - supports: Efficacy and safety of low and very low carbohydrate diets for type 2 diabetes remission: … (BMJ (Clinical research ed.) 2021) · cited 431x in the literature
"At six months, compared with control diets, LCDs achieved higher rates of diabetes remission (defined as HbA 1c <6.5%) (76/133 (57%) v 41/131 (31%); risk difference 0.32, 95% confidence interval 0.17 to 0.47; 8 studies, n=264, I 2 =58%)." (abstract, results, passage verified)
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Randomized controlled trials show that omega-3 fatty acids help improve insulin resistance.
"There's actually a randomized control trial on this. I can't tell you the exact one, but did a video on it and um yeah, omega-3 fatty acids can help um insulin resistance." (said at 1:00:13)
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and comprehensive meta-analyses show that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation has little to no overall effect on insulin resistance or glycemic control in the general population or in patients with type 2 diabetes. A major BMJ meta-analysis of 83 RCTs found that long-chain omega-3 supplementation had no significant effect on HOMA-IR (mean difference 0.06, 95% CI -0.21 to 0.33) or risk of diabetes. Subsequent meta-analyses in type 2 diabetes patients similarly found no significant impact on insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). However, modest improvements in insulin resistance and fasting insulin have been observed in specific subgroup populations, such as women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Therefore, while RCTs exist showing benefits in specific conditions like PCOS, claiming broadly that RCTs show omega-3 fatty acids improve insulin resistance requires qualification, as large-scale evidence in general and diabetic populations shows no meaningful effect.
- contradicts: Omega-3, omega-6, and total dietary polyunsaturated fat for prevention and treatment of ty… (BMJ (Clinical research ed.) 2019) · cited 319x in the literature
"Long chain omega-3 had little or no effect on likelihood of diagnosis of diabetes... or measures of glucose metabolism (HbA 1c mean difference -0.02%, 95% confidence interval -0.07% to 0.04%; plasma glucose 0.04, 0.02 to 0.07, mmol/L; fasting insulin 1.02, -4.34 to 6.37, pmol/L; HOMA-IR 0.06, -0.21 to 0.33)." (abstract, results)
pubmedfull study (doi) - contradicts: The effects of omega-3 fatty acids in type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analys… (Prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and essential fatty acids 2022) · cited 50x in the literature
"There was no significant effect on renal function, fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), adiponectin and leptin (p > 0.05)." (abstract, results, passage verified)
pubmedfull study (doi) - supports: Effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid on metabolic status in women with polycystic ova… (Journal of ovarian research 2023) · cited 16x in the literature
"Compared with control group, n-3 PUFA treatment decreased waist circumference... fasting plasma glucose... fasting insulin... homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (MD = -0.45, 95% CI: -0.80 to -0.11; p = 0.01)... in PCOS patients." (abstract, results)
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Probiotics can worsen symptoms in people with ulcers who also have small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
"And then people that have ulcers usually have other issues with the digestion like maybe SIBO and then that probiotic can actually make it worse." (said at 1:05:18)
An observational study led by Rao et al. (PMID: 29915215) observed that probiotic use in individuals with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and D-lactic acidosis was associated with symptoms such as brain fogginess, abdominal bloating, and gas, and that discontinuing probiotics along with antibiotic treatment led to symptom resolution in 77% of affected patients. Furthermore, the American Gastroenterological Association's clinical practice update (PMID: 37452811) advises that probiotics should not be used to treat abdominal bloating and distention. However, meta-analyses of clinical trials examining probiotics in SIBO (e.g., PMID: 28267052) indicate that probiotics can actually aid in SIBO decontamination and reduce abdominal pain. There is no specific evidence showing that having gastric or duodenal ulcers uniquely alters or worsens this probiotic-SIBO interaction.
- contradicts: Probiotics for Preventing and Treating Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth: A Meta-Analy… (Journal of clinical gastroenterology 2017) · cited 156x in the literature
"The present findings indicated that probiotics supplementation could effectively decontaminate SIBO, decrease H2 concentration, and relieve abdominal pain, but were ineffective in preventing SIBO." (abstract, conclusions, passage verified)
pubmedfull study (doi) - supports: Brain fogginess, gas and bloating: a link between SIBO, probiotics and metabolic acidosis. (Clinical and translational gastroenterology 2018) · cited 164x in the literature
"We describe a syndrome of BF, gas and bloating, possibly related to probiotic use, SIBO, and D-lactic acidosis in a cohort without short bowel. Patients with BF exhibited higher prevalence of SIBO and D-lactic acidosis. Symptoms improved with antibiotics and stopping probiotics." (abstract, conclusions, passage verified)
pubmedfull study (doi) - context: AGA Clinical Practice Update on Evaluation and Management of Belching, Abdominal Bloating,… (Gastroenterology 2023) · cited 68x in the literature
"BEST PRACTICE ADVICE 10: Probiotics should not be used to treat abdominal bloating and distention." (abstract, best practice advice, passage verified)
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