What exactly is the ketogenic 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, potentially alleviating diabetes symptoms.
Your body converts fat into energy instead of sugar when you
follow the keto diet. The diet was developed in the 1920s as a treatment 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.
The ketogenic diet's
concept of "high-fat"
Because many people with type 2 diabetes are obese, a
high-fat diet may appear to be counterproductive.
The ketogenic diet aims to force the body to burn fat rather than carbohydrates or glucose for energy. The keto diet relies heavily on fat for energy, with carbohydrates accounting for only a small part of the diet.
However, following the ketogenic diet does not imply that you
consume a lot of saturated fats. The key to maintaining overall health is to
consume heart-healthy fats. The ketogenic diet includes a variety of healthy
foods, such as:
- eggs
- fish such as salmon
- cottage cheese
- avocado
- olives plus olive oil
- nuts and nut kinds of butter
Blood sugar effects
The ketogenic diet can help you lower your blood sugar
levels. People with type 2 diabetes should limit their carbohydrate intake
because carbohydrates convert to sugar and can cause blood sugar spikes if
consumed in large amounts.
Carbohydrate counts, on the other hand, should be determined by your doctor on an individual basis.
Eating too many carbs can be dangerous if you already have a
high blood glucose level. Some people experience lower blood sugar after
shifting their focus to fat.
Diabetes and the Atkins
diet
The Atkins diet, which is often associated with the keto
diet, is one of the most well-known low-carb, high-protein diets. But there are
some significant differences between the two diets.
The Atkins diet was developed in the 1970s by Dr. Robert C.
Atkins. It's frequently promoted as a way to lose weight while also managing a
variety of health problems, such as type 2 diabetes.
While reducing carbs is a good idea, it's unclear whether
this diet will help diabetes on its own. Weight loss, whether it comes from the
Atkins diet or another program, is beneficial for diabetes and high blood sugar
levels.
Unlike the ketogenic diet, the Atkins diet does not require
you to consume more fat. Still, limiting carbohydrates and eating more animal
protein may help you increase your fat intake.
The disadvantages could
be similar.
Aside from a high saturated fat intake, restricting carbs too
much can result in low blood sugar or hypoglycemia. This is especially true if
you don't change your insulin dosage while taking medications that raise
insulin levels in the body.
Hazards that could
occur
The increase in ketones in the blood is caused by switching
your body's primary energy source from carbohydrates to fat. This is not to be
confused with ketoacidosis, which is a life-threatening condition.
You could develop diabetic ketoacidosis if you have too many
ketones (DKA). When blood glucose levels are too high, DKA develops, which can be
caused by a lack of insulin.
DKA is a rare complication of type 2 diabetes that occurs
when ketones are too high. Being sick while on a low-carb diet can also put you
at risk for DKA.
Cutting carbs on the Atkins diet may help you lose weight and
manage your diabetes symptoms. There aren't enough studies, however, to suggest
that Atkins and diabetes control are linked.
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 testing your ketone levels to ensure you aren't at risk of DKA.
If your blood sugar is higher than 240 mg/dL, the American
Diabetes Association recommends 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 experiencing DKA symptoms. Diabetic coma can be caused by
complications.
The following are some of the warning signs of DKA:
- blood sugar levels that are consistently high
- the mouth that is dry
- Urination is frequent.
- nausea
- breath that smells like fruit
- difficulties in breathing
Keeping an eye on your
diabetes
The ketogenic diet appears to be simple. A high-fat diet,
unlike a typical low-calorie diet, necessitates careful monitoring. You could
even begin the diet in a hospital.
To ensure that the diet isn't having any negative effects,
your doctor should monitor both blood glucose and ketone levels. You may need
to see your doctor once or twice a month after your body adjusts to the diet
for testing and medication adjustments.
Even if your symptoms improve, you should continue to monitor
your blood glucose levels on a regular basis. The frequency of testing for type
2 diabetes varies. Consult your doctor to determine the most appropriate
testing schedule for your situation.
Diabetes, research, and
the ketogenic diet
Researchers in 2008 conducted a 24-week study to see how a
low-carbohydrate diet affected people with type 2 diabetes and obesity.
When compared to those who followed a low-glycemic diet,
participants who followed the ketogenic diet saw greater improvements in
glycemic control and medication reduction at the end of the study.
According to a 2013 review, a ketogenic diet can lead to more
significant improvements in blood sugar control, A1c, weight loss, and no
longer requiring insulin than other diets.
A 2017 study found that over the course of 32 weeks, the
ketogenic diet outperformed a conventional, low-fat diabetes diet in terms of
weight loss and A1c.
Other diets that are
beneficial
There is research that suggests the ketogenic diet is
beneficial for diabetes management, while other research suggests that dietary
treatments such as a plant-based diet are harmful.
People with diabetes who followed a plant-based diet saw
significant improvements in blood sugars and A1c, cardiovascular disease risk
factors, gut bacteria that control insulin sensitivity, and inflammatory
markers like C-reactive protein, according to a 2017 study.
The Viewpoint
People with type 2 diabetes who are having trouble
controlling 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 medications.
Despite this, not everyone succeeds in this diet. Some people
may find the restrictions to be too difficult to adhere to in the long run.
Yo-yo dieting can be dangerous for diabetes, so only begin
the ketogenic diet if you're certain you'll be able to stick to it. A
plant-based diet might be better for you in the short and long run.
Your doctor and dietician can assist you in determining the
best diet for managing your condition.
While you may be tempted to self-treat with dietary changes 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.
Post a Comment