How the Ketogenic Diet for Type 2 Diabetes Works by Adam Reeve
A Ketogenic diet for diabetes has helped many type 2 diabetes patients manage the illness. With the benefits that come with a keto, some have even been able to reduce the amount of insulin intake. Here is everything you need to learn before you get started with a keto.
You’ve probably come across a keto diet a million times on your social media timelines, browser, and even on television adverts, whether you’re actively looking for it or not. Although people with type 1 diabetes are warned to stay away from diets, it’s debatable when it comes to type 2 diabetes patients.
In this article, we will discuss the benefits and cons of a ketogenic diet for diabetes. It’s also worth mentioning that the best exogenous ketones can also work as an alternative for the keto diet.
The Ketogenic Diet and Diabetes
The question that many people ask if they can conquer type 2 diabetes with a ketogenic diet. Well, here are some impacts the keto diet has on patients:
Effect on Blood Sugar Levels
The keto diet allows an individual to maintain a healthy-low glucose level. A low intake of carbohydrates can reduce large spikes of blood sugar, reducing the need for insulin.
Studies on the keto diet have shown it can help in controlling HbA1 levels (amount of glucose moving with hemoglobin in the blood) for at least three months.
Impact on Medication
Taking the keto diet can significantly help in reducing blood sugar levels. This means that type 2 diabetes patients following the ketogenic diet may lower their medication intake.
However, scientists say that following the ketogenic diet, together with insulin, may increase the chances of developing low blood sugar.
To understand the effect of low-calorie versus low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet in type 2 diabetes, talk to your doctor. This will allow you to gain all the benefits of the keto diet, without risking your health.
Impact on Weight
The keto diet assists the body in burning fats. This is helpful when an individual is trying to increase weight loss, as well as patients whose weight has influenced the development of type 2 diabetes and prediabetes.
People following the keto diet show improved blood sugar management and increased weight loss.
Is Ketogenic Diet Safe for Type 2 Diabetes?
Although the keto diet has many pros, it also has a few side effects. The short-time effects include:
– Mental fogginess
– Loss of salts
– Uncomfortable leg cramps
– Loss of energy
– Headache
– Frequent urination
A keto flu
In many cases, people only experience these symptoms temporarily. However, it’s just fair that we discuss the long-term risks as well, regardless of how rare they are. They include:
– Development of kidney stones and increased chance of bone fractures as a result of acidosis
– Risk of dyslipidemia and increased hypoglycemic episodes
However, in general, the keto diet positively impacts type 2, diabetes patients.
Conclusion: The bottom line is, the keto diet has multiple benefits to type 2 diabetes patients. The benefits include but are not limited to: cardiac benefits, increased weight loss, and reduced levels of HbA1c.
However, before you decide to start the keto diet, make sure to talk to your doctor to ensure it’s safe for you.
Are you a type 2 diabetic patient? Have you been following the keto diet? Comment below and tell us the bad and the good of the diet.
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Author’s bio: My name is Adam Reeve and I have been a professional personal trainer and fitness instructor for over 10 years. Also, I’m a life coach, wellness writer, and low carb diets, enthusiast.