What is the keto diet?
Weight loss is a common goal of type 2 diabetes diets, so it may seem strange that a high-fat diet is an option. The ketogenic (keto) diet, which is high in fat and low in carbs, has the potential to alter how your body stores and uses energy, thereby alleviating diabetes symptoms.
Your body transforms fat into energy instead of sugar when you follow the keto diet. The diet was developed in the 1920s as a therapy for epilepsy, but its effects on type 2 diabetes are also being investigated.
The ketogenic diet has been shown to improve blood glucose (sugar) levels while also lowering insulin requirements. The diet, however, is not without its drawbacks. Before making any major dietary changes, consult with your doctor.
Understanding “high-fat” in the ketogenic diet
Because many persons with type 2 diabetes are overweight, a high-fat diet may appear to be counterproductive.
The ketogenic diet aims to force the body to use fat for energy rather than carbohydrates or glucose. The keto diet relies heavily on fat for energy, with carbs accounting for only a small portion of the diet.
However, just because you're on a ketogenic diet doesn't imply you should eat a lot of saturated fats. Fats that are good for your heart are essential for general wellness. The following are some healthful foods that are commonly consumed on the ketogenic diet:
- eggs
- fish such as salmon
- cottage cheese
- avocado
- olives and olive oil
- nuts and nut butters
- seeds
Effects on blood glucose
Blood glucose levels can be reduced by following a ketogenic diet. People with type 2 diabetes are often advised to limit their carbohydrate consumption since carbohydrates convert to sugar and, in large amounts, can cause blood sugar increases.
Carbohydrate counts, on the other hand, should be determined on an individual basis with the assistance of your doctor.
Eating too many carbohydrates can be problematic if you already have high blood glucose. Some people notice lower blood sugar when they shift their focus to fat.
The Atkins diet and diabetes
The Atkins diet is a well-known low-carb, high-protein diet that is frequently linked to the ketogenic diet. However, there are some significant distinctions between the two diets.
In the 1970s, Dr. Robert C. Atkins developed the Atkins diet. It's frequently marketed as a means to lose weight while also managing a variety of health problems, including type 2 diabetes.
While reducing extra carbs is a good idea, it's unclear whether this diet can treat diabetes on its own. Weight loss of any kind, whether through the Atkins diet or another diet, is beneficial for diabetes and high blood sugar levels.
Unlike the ketogenic diet, the Atkins diet does not need you to consume more fat. Still, restricting carbohydrates and consuming more animal protein may help you increase your fat consumption.
The disadvantages could be similar.
Aside from a high saturated fat intake, reducing carbs too much might result in low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia. This is especially true if you don't modify your insulin dosage while taking drugs that raise insulin levels in the body.
Cutting carbs on the Atkins diet may help you lose weight and manage your diabetic symptoms. There aren't enough data, however, to demonstrate that Atkins and diabetes control are linked.
Potential dangers
When you switch your body's primary energy source from carbohydrates to fat, your blood level of ketones rises. This "dietary ketosis" is not to be confused with ketoacidosis, which is a life-threatening condition.
You may be at risk for diabetic ketoacidosis if you have too many ketones (DKA). When blood glucose levels are excessively high, DKA occurs, which can be caused by a lack of insulin.
DKA can occur in people with type 2 diabetes if their ketones are excessively high. If you're sick while on a low-carb diet, you're more likely to get DKA.
If you're following a ketogenic diet, make sure to check your blood sugar levels throughout the day to ensure they're within the recommended range. Consider measuring your ketone levels to ensure you aren't at risk of DKA.
If your blood sugar is more than 240 mg/dL, the American Diabetes Association suggests testing for ketones. Urine strips can be used to test at home.
DKA is a life-threatening condition. Consult your doctor right away if you're suffering DKA symptoms. Diabetic coma can be caused by complications.
The warning signs of DKA include:
- consistently high blood sugar
- dry mouth
- frequent urination
- nausea
- breath that has a fruit-like odor
- breathing difficulties
Monitoring your diabetes
The ketogenic diet appears to be simple. A high-fat diet, unlike a standard low-calorie diet, necessitates constant supervision. You could even begin the diet in a hospital.
To ensure that the diet isn't having any detrimental consequences, your doctor should check both blood glucose and ketone levels. You may need to see your doctor once or twice a month once your body responds to the diet for testing and medication changes.
Even if your symptoms improve, you should continue to test your blood glucose levels on a regular basis. The frequency of testing for type 2 diabetes varies. Consult your doctor to establish the most appropriate testing regimen for your condition.
Research, the keto diet, and diabetes
Researchers studied the effects of a low-carbohydrate diet on patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity for 24 weeks in 2008.
When compared to those who followed a low-glycemic diet, those who followed the ketogenic diet exhibited larger improvements in glycemic control and medication reduction at the end of the trial.
According to a 2013 research, a ketogenic diet can result in more significant improvements in blood sugar control, A1c, weight loss, and insulin discontinuation than other diets.
Over the course of 32 weeks, a 2017 study demonstrated that the ketogenic diet beat a traditional, low-fat diabetes diet in terms of weight loss and A1c.
Other beneficial diets
There’s research that supports the ketogenic diet for diabetes management, while other research seems to recommend opposing dietary treatments like a plant-based diet.
A 2017 study found that people with diabetes who followed a plant-based diet experienced significant improvements in blood sugars and A1c, cardiovascular disease risk factors, gut bacteria that is responsible for insulin sensitivity, and inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein.
People with type 2 diabetes who are having trouble regulating their symptoms may find hope in the ketogenic diet. Many people report that having fewer diabetic symptoms makes them feel better and that they are less reliant on drugs.
Despite this, not everyone succeeds on this diet. Some people may find the limits to be too tough to adhere to in the long run.
Yo-yo dieting can be harmful to your diabetes, so only begin the ketogenic diet if you're certain you can stick to it. A plant-based diet might be better for you in the short and long run.
Your doctor and dietitian can assist you in determining the optimum diet for managing your condition.
While you may be tempted to self-treat with dietary modifications for a more "natural" approach, talk to your doctor about the keto diet first. The diet could mess with your blood sugar levels, causing more problems, especially if you're on diabetes medication.
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