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Is the Ketogenic diet (keto diet) suitable for people with type 2 diabetes? What are the characteristics, advantages and limitations of this diet? Refer to the following information about the Ketogenic diet.
1. What is the Ketogenic Diet?
Often times, special diets for type 2 diabetes are focused on weight loss so it sounds wrong to use a high-fat diet. However, the Ketogenic (Keto) diet high in fat and low in carbs has the potential to change the way the body stores and uses energy, thereby helping to reduce the symptoms of diabetes.
With the Keto diet, your body will convert fat instead of sugar into energy. This diet was created in the 1920s as a treatment for epilepsy but its effects are also being studied in people with type 2 diabetes.
Diabetics Keto eat? The Keto diet improves blood glucose (sugar) levels and reduces insulin requirements. However, this diet also comes with some risks, so you should consult your doctor before making any dietary changes.
2. What is “high fat” in the Keto diet?
Many people with type 2 diabetes are overweight so a high-fat diet may not seem appropriate. However, the goal of the Keto diet is for the body to use fat for energy instead of carbohydrates or glucose. On the Keto diet, you get most of your energy from fat because there are very few carbohydrates.
However, the Keto diet does not mean that you should consume a lot of saturated fat. This diet prioritizes the intake of heart-healthy fats to maintain health. Some healthy foods that should be included in the Ketogenic diet include: Eggs, salmon, avocado, cheese, olive oil, nuts, seeds,...
3. Effect of Ketogenic Diet on Type 2 Diabetes
How does the Keto diet affect people with type 2 diabetes, positive or negative effects? The specifics are as follows:
3.1 Effect on blood sugar The Ketogenic diet can lower blood sugar. In fact, it is recommended that patients with type 2 diabetes manage their carbohydrate intake (since carbohydrates in large quantities can cause blood sugar spikes). If the patient has high blood sugar, eating too many carbs can be dangerous. By following the Ketogenic diet, which shifts the focus to fat, some people are able to lower blood sugar levels.
3.2 Some Potential Dangers When following the Keto diet, changing the body's main source of energy from carbohydrates to fat can increase blood ketones. Dietary ketosis is different from ketoacidosis, which is an extremely dangerous condition.
When your body has too much ketones, you run the risk of developing diabetic ketoacidosis. This is the most common condition in people with type 1 diabetes when blood sugar levels are too high, which can arise from a lack of insulin. Although rare, ketoacidosis can occur in patients with type 2 diabetes if the ketones are too high (due to illness, low-carb diet, etc.).
Is eating Keto suitable for people with diabetes? If you're following the Ketogenic diet, make sure to check your blood sugar throughout the day to make sure it's within the target range. In addition, you should also consider testing your ketone levels to make sure there is no risk of ketoacidosis.
The American Diabetes Association recommends testing for ketones if your blood sugar is higher than 240mg/dL. You can also test it at home with a urine test strip.
Ketosis is an emergency. If you are experiencing symptoms of ketoacidosis you should go to the hospital right away as this condition can lead to a diabetic coma. Warning signs of ketoacidosis include: Persistently high blood sugar, dry mouth, frequent urination, nausea, breath that smells like fruit, difficulty breathing,...
4. Monitor diabetes when applying the Ketogenic diet
Keto diet seems simple. However, unlike a typical low-calorie diet, this is a high-fat diet so you need to carefully monitor your health. It is possible that when starting this regimen, the patient needs to be monitored in the hospital. Your doctor will monitor your blood sugar and ketone levels to make sure this diet isn't causing any negative effects. After the body adapts to the diet, you can go to the doctor 1-2 times a month to check your health and adjust the medicine.
Even if diabetes symptoms improve, the person still needs regular blood sugar monitoring. For type 2 diabetes, the frequency of testing will vary from patient to patient. Patients should consult their doctor about the most appropriate schedule of health checkups.
5. Some Studies on the Ketogenic Diet and Diabetes
In 2008, scientists conducted a 24-week study to determine the effects of a low-carbohydrate diet on patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity. At the end of the study, those following the keto diet had improved glycemic control and reduced medication use compared with those following the low glycemic index diet.
A study in 2013 showed that: Keto diet was more effective in controlling blood sugar, HbA1c, weight loss, stopping insulin use compared to other diets.
A 32-week study in 2017 in people with diabetes also found: Keto diets are better than conventional diets or low-fat diets in terms of weight loss and index HbA1c.
The Ketogenic diet can offer hope to people with type 2 diabetes who have difficulty controlling their diabetes. When following this diet, many people experience relief of symptoms and are less dependent on medication. However, it is difficult for some people to follow this regimen for long. Please consult your doctor to choose the right diet to help control your health condition.
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Reference source: healthine.com
