Starting Low Carb Safely: Medications, Lab Changes, and Side Effects

By Dr. TroPublished March 27, 2024Medically reviewed by Dr. Laura Buchanan, MDReviewed August 19, 2026

VIDEO LESSON · 23 MINUTES

Dr. Laura Buchanan explains why low-carbohydrate nutrition should be implemented with coordinated clinical support when medications, laboratory results or rapid metabolic changes are involved.

Safely Implementing a Low Carb Diet & Fasting Protocol · 22:59

What this lesson covers

The benefits of a multidisciplinary approach to patient care
The potential benefits of therapeutic carbohydrate reduction for metabolic disease
Why rapid diet-induced metabolic changes can affect medications, laboratory results and adverse events

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How to Start a Low-Carb Diet in 5 Practical Steps

References

Cucuzzella M, Riley K, Isaacs D. Adapting Medication for Type 2 Diabetes to a Low Carbohydrate Diet. Frontiers in Nutrition. 2021;8:688540. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2021.688540
Durrer C, et al. A randomized controlled trial of pharmacist-led therapeutic carbohydrate and energy restriction in type 2 diabetes. Nature Communications. 2021;12:5367. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-25667-4
Buchanan L, Calkins M, Kalayjian T, et al. TOWARD, a metabolic health intervention, demonstrates robust 1-year weight loss and cost-savings through deprescription. Frontiers in Nutrition. 2025;12:1548609. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1548609

Presented by Dr. Laura Buchanan, Physician. Medically reviewed by Dr. Tro Kalayjian and Dr. Laura Buchanan.

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Dr. Tro

I am a board-certified physician, I lost 150lbs to reclaim my health for myself and my family. I did it by ignoring much of the conventional medical advice that we have been told. My life's goal is to get you healthy and prevent disease. I want to get you OFF of your medications.