How the Ketogenic Diet Works for Type 2 Diabetes

 How the Ketogenic Diet Works for Type 2 Diabetes

What is a ketogenic diet?

Special diets for type 2 diabetes often focus on weight loss, so it may seem crazy that a high-fat diet is an option. The ketogenic (keto) diet, high in fat and low in sugar, can potentially change the way your body stores and uses energy by reducing the symptoms of diabetes.*

With a ketogenic diet, your body converts fats into energy instead of sugar. The diet was created in 1920 as a treatment for epilepsy, but the effects of this type of eating are also being studied for type 2 diabetes.

A ketogenic diet can improve blood glucose (sugar) levels while reducing the need for insulin. However, there are risks in the diet. Be sure to discuss this with your doctor before making any drastic changes to your diet.

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Understanding “high fat” in the ketogenic diet

Many people with type 2 diabetes are overweight, so a high-fat diet may seem useless.*

The goal of a ketogenic diet is to use fats for energy instead of carbohydrates or glucose in the body. In the Keto diet, you get most of your energy from fats and very little of your diet comes from carbohydrates.

However, a ketogenic diet does not mean that you should consume saturated fat. Heart-healthy fats are the key to maintaining overall health. Some of the healthiest foods commonly eaten on a ketogenic diet include:

Eggs

Fish like salmon

Cottage cheese

Avocado

Olive and olive oil

Nuts and almond butter

Seeds

Effects on blood glucose

Ketogenic diets have the potential to lower blood glucose levels. Monitoring for carbohydrate intake is often recommended for people with type 2 diabetes because carbohydrates are converted into sugar and can cause high blood sugar.

However, you need to determine the carbohydrate count individually with the help of your doctor.

If you already have high blood glucose, eating large amounts of sugar can be dangerous. By shifting the focus to fat, some people experience a drop of blood sugar.

Atkins Diet and Diabetes

The Atkins Diet is one of the most famous low carb and high protein diets that is often associated with ketogenic diets. However, there are some important differences between the two diets.

Dr. Robert C. Atkins 19 The Atkins Diet was created in the 1970s and is often touted as a way to lose weight that controls numerous health problems, including type 2 diabetes.

Reducing excess carbohydrates is a healthy measure, but it is unclear whether this diet alone can help with diabetes. Any type of weight loss is beneficial for diabetes and high blood sugar levels from the Atkins diet or any other program.

Unlike the Keto Diet, the Atkins Diet does not necessarily advise high fat intake. Still, you can increase your fat intake by limiting sugars and eating more animal protein.

The potential errors are the same.

In addition to a high intake of saturated fats, there is also the possibility of low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, from low sugar intake. This is especially true if you take medicinal drugs that increase insulin levels in the body and do not change your dose.

Cutting back on carbs in the Atkins diet can help you lose weight and manage the symptoms of diabetes. However, there are not enough studies to suggest that Atkins and diabetes control go together.

Potential danger

Switching your body's primary energy source from carbohydrates to fats increases ketones in the blood. This “dietary ketosis” is different from ketoacidosis, which is an extremely dangerous condition.

When you have too many ketones, you may be at risk for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). DKA is more common in type 1 diabetes when blood glucose is too high and insulin can be lacking.

Although rare, DKA is possible in type 2 diabetes if ketones are high. Getting sick on a low-carb diet can also increase your risk for DKA.

If you are on a ketogenic diet, check your blood sugar levels throughout the day to make sure your goals are within range. Also, consider checking ketone levels to make sure you are not at risk for DKA.

The American Diabetes Association recommends testing for ketones if your blood sugar level is above 240 mg / dL. You can test with a urine strip at home.

CAD is a medical emergency. If you have symptoms of CAD, see your doctor right away. Complications can lead to a diabetic coma.

DKA warning signs include:

Constantly high blood sugar

Dry mouth

Frequent urination

Nausea

The breath that smells of fruit

Respiratory problems

Manage your diabetes

The ketogenic diet seems straightforward. Unlike the typical low-calorie diet, high-fat diets need to be cared for. In fact, you can start a diet in the hospital.

Your doctor will need to monitor both your blood glucose and ketone levels to make sure there are no adverse effects on your diet. You will need to see your doctor once or twice a month to adjust your tests and medications once your body has adjusted to your diet.

It is important to continue regular blood glucose monitoring even if your symptoms improve. For type 2 diabetes, the frequency of testing varies. Be sure to consult with your doctor and determine the best testing schedule for your condition.

Research, ketogenic diet and diabetes

In 2006, researchers conducted a 24-week study to determine the effects of a low-carbohydrate diet in people with type 2 diabetes and obesity.

At the end of the survey, participants who followed a ketogenic diet saw a greater improvement in glycemic control and drug intake than those who followed a low-glycemic diet.

A trusted 2013 review source reported that a ketogenic diet could significantly improve blood sugar control, A1C, weight loss, and insulin requirements than other diets.

A 2017 study found that the ketogenic diet outperformed a conventional low-fat diabetes diet within 32 weeks of weight loss and A1C.

Other beneficial diets

While there are studies supporting a ketogenic diet for diabetes management, other studies seem to suggest opposing dietary treatments, such as plant-based diets.

A 2017 study found that people with diabetes who followed a plant-based diet had significant improvements in inflammatory markers such as blood sugar and A1C, risk factors for cardiovascular disease, gut bacteria responsible for sensitivity to insulin and C-reactive proteins.

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People with type 2 diabetes on the ketogenic diet may have a hard time controlling their expectations.

However, not everyone is successful on this diet. Some may find it very difficult to follow these restrictions in the long term.

The yo-yo diet can be dangerous for diabetes, so you should only start your ketogenic diet if you are sure you can commit to it. A plant-based diet can be more beneficial for you in both the short and long term.

Your dietitian and doctor can help you determine the best diet option to manage your condition.

Diet changes may tempt you to self-medicate a more "natural" route, but be sure to discuss the ketogenic diet with your doctor first. Diet can lower blood sugar levels and cause more problems, especially if you are taking diabetes medicine.

Article source healthine.com