Comparing ketogenic and low-fat diets for diabetes management

Ketogenic Diet and Diabetes Demonstration Project

Not applicable Interventional University of New Mexico · NCT06115265

This study tests whether a ketogenic diet or a low-fat diet works better for managing blood sugar and overall health in people with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of New Mexico Academic / other
Locations1 site (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
Trial IDNCT06115265 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The Ketogenic Diet and Diabetes Demonstration Project (KDDP) is a 12-month pilot study designed to compare the metabolic effects of a medically-supervised ketogenic diet against a low-fat diet as part of the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP). Participants in the KDDP arm will receive education on maintaining a ketogenic diet with less than 20g of carbohydrates per day, while those in the NDPP arm will follow a low-fat diet. Both groups will undergo regular monitoring of various health parameters, including glycemic control and lipid levels, to assess the effectiveness of each dietary approach. The study aims to provide insights into how these diets impact individuals with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18 and older with a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or higher and elevated hemoglobin A1c or fasting plasma glucose levels.

Not a fit: Patients with known cardiovascular disease, advanced renal or liver disease, or those requiring insulin will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a more effective dietary intervention for managing type 2 diabetes and prediabetes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results for ketogenic diets in managing diabetes, suggesting that this approach may be effective, though the specific comparison to the NDPP is novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Men and women ≥ 18 years old
* BMI ≥27 kg/m2
* Hemoglobin A1c ≥ 5.7% and/or fasting plasma glucose of 100-125 mg/dL

Exclusion Criteria:

* Known clinical cardiovascular disease (i.e. prior stroke, myocardial infarction, peripheral artery disease)
* LDL cholesterol ≥ 190 mg/dL
* Triglycerides ≥ 500 mg/dL
* History of type 1 diabetes
* History of diabetic ketoacidosis
* Individuals requiring insulin
* Advanced renal disease
* Advanced liver disease
* Terminal cancer
* Pregnancy

Where this trial is running

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Type 2 DiabetesPreDiabetesObesityKetogenic Dieting
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.