The Study
Nitrogen Metabolism and Insulin Requirements in Obese Diabetic Adults on a Protein-Sparing Modified Fast
This study watched what happened to 7 people who tried a special diet — it didn't compare them to anyone else. So we can say the diet seemed to change their blood sugar and insulin, but we can't be sure the diet caused it — maybe they got better because they exercised, or slept more, or just felt more motivated.
Analysis score
Maximum 58 for a case-control study.
Where the score came from
A special diet with just enough protein and almost no carbs helped obese diabetic patients burn fat instead of sugar, and some stopped needing insulin shots.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 520 / 100
Quality score
Researchers compare people who have a condition (cases) with similar people who do not (controls), looking back in time for differences in exposure. Useful but more prone to bias.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1Yes — for some obese diabetics with leftover natural insulin, this diet helped them stop insulin injections and lose weight without losing muscle.
- 27 patients stopped insulin in 0–19 days (average 6.5 days); 3 patients kept their muscle mass with 1.3g protein per kg of ideal body weight; ketones appeared in urine within 1–3 days.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
Diabetes
Year
1976
Authors
B. Bistrian, G. Blackburn, J. Flatt, J. Sizer, N. Scrimshaw, M. Sherman
Related Content
Claims (6)
A protein-sparing modified fast reduces liver glycogen stores, lowers insulin levels, and increases the body's use of fat for energy.
In obese adults with type 2 diabetes, a specific low-calorie, high-protein diet leads to lower blood sugar and insulin levels, higher levels of free fatty acids and ketone bodies, and the presence of ketones in urine within 24 to 72 hours.
Obese adults with type 2 diabetes who are taking 30–100 units of insulin daily and follow a protein-sparing modified fast consuming 1.2–1.4 grams of protein per kilogram of ideal body weight experience discontinuation of exogenous insulin within 0–19 days, with an average of 6.5 days.
Obese adults with type 2 diabetes who still produce some of their own insulin lose more weight on a protein-sparing modified fast than on other diets, while keeping more muscle and stopping insulin injections.
In obese adults with type 2 diabetes, a diet that severely limits calories but provides 1.3 grams of protein per kilogram of ideal body weight maintains nitrogen balance and preserves lean body mass.
Obese adults with type 2 diabetes who follow a protein-sparing modified fast experience lower blood pressure, improved lipid levels, and reduced cardiorespiratory symptoms, and these changes are connected to weight loss or the diet itself.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.