Dr. Belinda Lennerz, MD PhD
Claim this profileBoston Children's Hospital
Studies Type 1 Diabetes
Studies Diabetes Mellitus
4 reported clinical trials
6 drugs studied
Area of expertise
1Type 1 Diabetes
GAD-65 positive
IA-2 positive
ZnT8 positive
2Diabetes Mellitus
GAD-65 positive
IA-2 positive
ZnT8 positive
Affiliated Hospitals
Clinical Trials Belinda Lennerz, MD PhD is currently running
Ketogenic Diet
for Type 1 Diabetes
The goal of this clinical trial is to test the effects of a ketogenic diet on the progression and control of type 1 diabetes in children with newly diagnosed diabetes. The main questions to answer are: * Does a ketogenic diet prolong the honeymoon period of type 1 diabetes? * Does a ketogenic diet improve diabetes control? * Is a ketogenic diet safe, acceptable and sustainable in children with newly diagnosed diabetes? * What are the microbiome, inflammatory and metabolic changes linking diet to β-cell function? Participants will receive a combination of free meals, groceries, micronutrient supplements, and intensive diet and diabetes education for 9 months. * Diabetes care devices will be connected for cloud-based data collection. * Bi-weekly data downloads and remote check-ins will assess dietary intake, satisfaction with diet and study procedures, and possible safety concerns. * During four study visits held at at baseline, 1, 5, and 9 months, an intravenous catheter (IV) will be placed for collection of 5 blood samples before and up to 2 hours after a liquid test meal (protein shake) to assess insulin response. A stool sample will also be collected to assess microbiome changes. * Children and their caregivers may be invited to participate in a semi-structured interview, and online questionnaires to assess their experience with the diet and diabetes care, general well-being and quality of life. * Children and their caregivers may be invited to participate in a follow-up visit to evaluate long-term effects after 24 months. Comparison will be made between a ketogenic vs standard diet.
Recruiting1 award N/A2 criteria
Very Low Carbohydrate Diet
for Type 1 Diabetes
Despite major technological advances, management of type one diabetes mellitus (T1D) remains suboptimal, putting millions of people at risk for immediate and long-term complications. After meals, a mismatch between carbohydrate absorption rate and insulin action typically leads to alternating periods of hyper- and hypoglycemia. A conceptually promising approach to control both problems is dietary carbohydrate restriction to reduce postprandial blood glucose changes and insulin needs. In a prior survey study, the investigators documented exceptional glycemic control (HbA1c 5.67%) and low acute complication rates among 316 children and adults with T1D consuming a very-low-carbohydrate (VLC) diet. Despite these promising preliminary results, the use of VLC diets for T1D remain controversial, because of their restrictive nature and theoretical concerns regarding growth, ketoacidosis and hypoglycemia risks and efficiency of glucagon treatment for hypoglycemia. Glucagon is used as a rescue medication during severe hypoglycemia and increases blood glucose levels by mobilizing liver glycogen stores. If these stores are depleted during carbohydrate restriction, glucagon response may be inadequate and put individuals at risk for refractory hypoglycemia. A physiologic study has shown a blunted but still adequate response to glucagon in n=10 participants after following a VLCD for 1 week. Longer-term studies have not been done. To test the hypotheses that glucagon response remains adequate while following a VLC diet in the longer term, the investigators will conduct a glucagon challenge in participants who are assigned to the VLC arm of a randomized-controlled feeding study in 32 young adults with T1D who will receive a VLC vs a standard diet for 12 weeks. After an overnight fast, twelve participants in the VLC arm will receive IV insulin to lower blood glucose levels to 60 mg/dL, followed by a glucagon injection and monitoring of blood glucose levels and other metabolic fuels.
Recruiting1 award N/A8 criteria
More about Belinda Lennerz, MD PhD
Clinical Trial Related1 year of experience running clinical trials · Led 4 trials as a Principal Investigator · 4 Active Clinical TrialsTreatments Belinda Lennerz, MD PhD has experience with
- Very Low Carbohydrate Diet
- Standard Carbohydrate Diet
- Ketogenic Diet
- Standard Diet
- Standard Carbohydrate Diet
- Very Low Carbohydrate Diet
Breakdown of trials Belinda Lennerz, MD PhD has run
Type 1 Diabetes
Diabetes Mellitus
Ketoacidosis
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