Tighter control does decrease death rates in diabetics. The ACORD study was a seriously flawed study. The closer you get to a normal A1c, the better your odds of living complication free. Have you had your A1c done prior to and after starting low carb?

Have you read Dr. Bernstein's "Diabetes Solution"? It outlines all the benefits of tighter control as well as giving you step by step instructions on how to achieve it.