This meta-analysis examined studies on the impact of replacing dietary fat with carbohydrate on glucose and lipid variables in patients with type 2 diabetes. Changes in HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose, cholesterol and LDL cholesterol concentrations were not significantly different between the low-fat, high-carbohydrate (LFHC: 24% fat and 58% carbohydrate) diet and the high-fat, low-carbohydrate (HFLC: 40% fat and 40% carbohydrate) diet. However, the LFHC diet was associated with higher fasting insulin and triglyceride levels and lower HDL cholesterol concentrations compared to the HFLC diet. The authors found, however, that energy restriction and dietary fat quality appeared to be more important in lowering triglycerides than the proportion of carbohydrate and fat.
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