Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 to 40

Managing Type 1 Diabetes with Low Carbohydrate Diets

Official title: Type 1 Diabetes Management Using a Very Low Carbohydrate Versus Standard Diet

Run by Boston Children's Hospital · NCT03710928 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing if a very low carbohydrate diet can help people with type 1 diabetes manage their blood sugar better than a standard diet over 12 weeks.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 40 Years
SexAll
Enrollment32 (estimated)
SponsorBoston Children's Hospital
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Boston, Massachusetts)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJanuary 3, 2020
Main results expectedJuly 31, 2026
Study endsJuly 31, 2026
Registry record updatedDecember 18, 2024
Trial IDNCT03710928 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are males and females aged 18 to 40 with type 1 diabetes for at least one year and stable glycemic control.

Probably not a fit

Patients with recent severe hypoglycemia, dietary restrictions incompatible with the study, or significant psychiatric illness may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effectiveness of a very low carbohydrate diet compared to a standard carbohydrate diet in managing type 1 diabetes (T1D). It aims to address the challenges of glycemic control by reducing post-meal blood glucose fluctuations and insulin requirements. The study will involve 32 adults and adolescents with T1D who will be randomly assigned to either diet for a duration of 12 weeks. The researchers previously observed promising glycemic control in individuals following a very low carbohydrate diet, which will be further evaluated in this controlled setting.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve glycemic control and reduce complications for patients with type 1 diabetes.

How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results with low carbohydrate diets in managing type 1 diabetes, indicating potential for success in this approach.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Males and females with T1D for at least 1 year
* Age 18 to 40 years
* Tanner stage ≥ IV
* BMI 18.5-35 kg/m2
* Stable glycemic control (HbA1c 6.5-9%)
* Use of a continuous glucose monitor (CGM)
* Use of an insulin pump
* Attendance of at least 1 diabetes care visit over the past 12 months (including virtual)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Ketoacidosis or severe hypoglycemia with seizure or coma in the past 6 months
* Dietary restrictions or intolerances that are incompatible with the planned food deliveries, e.g. celiac disease, gastroparesis, certain food allergies
* Following a weight-loss or otherwise restrictive diet
* Vigorous exercise \>2 hours on \>3 days a week
* History of an eating disorder or at risk for eating disorder, assessed by the Eating Disorders Diagnostic Scale (EDDS)
* Major medical illness or use of medications other than insulin and metformin that could interfere with metabolic or glycemic variables
* Significant psychiatric illness
* Smoking, use of recreational drugs, or excessive alcohol consumption
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding
* Anemia
* For participants who undergo MRI:

  1. Standard MRI exclusion criteria
  2. Irregular menses
  3. Use of psychotropic medication other than SSRIs or other mild antidepressant or anxiety medications (unless these medications are safe to be held for several days to allow for the acquisition of MRI data)

Where it's running

  • Boston Children's Hospital
    Boston, Massachusetts, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.