Insulin receptor binding increased by high carbohydrate low fat diet in non‐insulin‐dependent diabetics

In comparison to a traditional low carbohydrate diet (LC), the effect of an isocaloric high carbohydrate, high fibre diet (HC) upon the insulin binding to mononuclear blood cells of seven non-insulin-dependent diabetics was examined. Each subject, in random order, took both diets for 6 weeks each. There was no significant difference in weight during either dietary period, but a significant (P less than 0.05) increase in the monocyte insulin binding activity on the HD diet (tracer specific binding: 4.2% HC; 3.5% LC). This was accompanied by a significantly (P less than 0.02) lower fasting plasma glucose concentration (LC = 7.1 mmol/l; HC = 6.1) without a significant change in the fasting plasma insulin level. In contrast to the usual low carbohydrate diet, a high carbohydrate diet tends to correct the lowered insulin receptor status observed in maturity-onset diabetics.