People living with type 2 diabetes may gain better blood sugar control by cutting carbohydrates from their diet, which means taking less medication for their condition.

A six-month study from Duke University researchers found low-carb diets can assist diabetics also found that some patients who followed a no-glycemic diet were able to eliminate medication completely.

Dr Eric Westman, lead author in the study, said the diets worked better than a low calorie diet and that the findings were promising for whole food nutrition.

"[A]s a physician who is faced with the choice of drugs or diet, I want a strong diet that’s shown to improve type 2 diabetes and minimize medication use," said Westman.

Westman added people looking to improve their blood sugar level, as well as lose weight, should just cut out carbohydrates from their diet. Those looking to ease into the lifestyle change may want to begin by replacing white bread with wheat.

Using less medication to control blood sugar may lead to a decrease in unwanted side effects associated with some diabetes drugs, as well as a healthier lifestyle for patients getting their nutrients naturally.

There are approximately 23.6 million people in the United States living with diabetes.