Type 2 diabetes is largely brought on by poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle. In the case of diabetes, the body has a hard time converting sugars into energy. One major source of said sugar is through carbohydrates, which are abundant in bread, pasta, and all the things that warm the soul.
While many experts suggest cutting back on refined carbohydrates, such as with bread and pasta, many patients are cringing at the thought of a low-carb life.
Well, my friends, your resistance has been heard. Scientists are now exploring a drug that can mimic many of the benefits of a low-carb diet without cutting carbs.
So, why all the hype about a low-carb diet?
When the body is deprived of carbohydrates, it stops using glucose as its primary energy source. Instead, it turns to fat as an energy source, which is metabolized by the liver.
Scientists are looking to create a compound that can tell the body to turn to fat for energy, first.
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A Drug to Mimic a Zero-Carb Diet
Before jumping into a carbo-loading hysteria, let’s be clear about one thing: no anti-carb drug exists as of yet.
Instead, researchers are looking to previous research on carbohydrates in order to help guide the quest for this miracle drug.
Specifically, they are looking at two studies that each demonstrated the importance of a low-carb diet.
One study showed that mice fed a zero-carb diet lived longer than its peers and performed better on memory tests. Another study showed similar results, with zero-carb mice living 13% longer than the average mouse.
The problem?
To make up for the calories, the mice were fed a high-fat diet, which is not healthy for humans.
Rather than completely (and perhaps dangerously) eliminating carbs from the human diet, researchers are looking for a drug to bring the same benefits without the dangerous costs.
Until that compound is found, however, it looks like you will have to continue being mindful of your carb intake. Sorry!
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[expand title=”References“]
The Guardian. URL Link. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
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