The Keto Diet for Diabetes.
The ketogenic, or keto, diet is popular as a way to help people lose weight. Scientists are still studying how the diet affects people with the condition, but here’s what we know.
What Is the Keto Diet?
It’s a low-carb, high-fat eating plan. About 20%-30% of your diet is protein, either lean (like chicken breast) or fatty (like bacon). On the keto diet, you eat less than 50 grams of carbs a day. After a few days of the keto diet, your body runs out of glucose. It’s more common for people with type 1 than type 2.
Ketosis happens with much lower, safer levels of ketones than ketoacidosis. It’s the state that can lead to weight loss, especially belly fat, and lower A1c for many people with diabetes.
Does Keto Work if You Have Diabetes?
Research suggests that people with type 2 diabetes can slim down and lower their blood sugar levels with the keto diet. In one study, people with type 2 lost weight, needed less medication, and lowered their A1c when they followed the keto diet for a year.
If you’re insulin resistant -- which means you have higher blood sugar levels because your body isn’t responding properly to the hormone insulin -- you could benefit from nutritional ketosis, because your body will need and make less insulin.
There are fewer studies looking at the keto diet for people with type 1 diabetes. One small study found that it helped people with type 1 lower their A1c levels, but we need a lot more research to get the full picture of the diet’s effects.
Keep in mind that most studies have only looked at the short-term results of the keto diet. It’s unclear if it works as a long-term way to manage your diabetes.
If you decide to try the keto diet, be aware that it may be hard to stick to. To make it a success, it’s a good idea to make a meal plan you can follow, including keto-friendly meals and snacks to keep on hand.
Is Keto Safe if You Have Diabetes?
That depends on the type of diabetes you have. If you have type 1 and want to try the keto diet, it’s essential that you talk to your doctor first. For either type, it’s a good idea to work closely with your doctor, since you may need to change your medications.
The keto diet has some side effects that are worth knowing about, too:
Hypoglycemia: Though the diet can lower A1c levels, that may mean you’re at a higher risk of blood sugar that dips too low, especially if you’re also taking medicine for your diabetes. Let your doctor or diabetes educator know if you try the keto diet. They can advise you about checking your blood sugar, taking your medicines, and what to do when your blood sugar drops too low.
Heart disease: The diet emphasizes eating a lot of fat. If you take medicine for heart problems, such as high blood pressure, check with your doctor to see if you need to make changes to your medications.
Lack of nutrients: Since many foods are off-limits, including some fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, you could miss out on the important nutrients you’d get from them. Work with a nutritionist familiar with nutritional ketosis to make sure your body gets what it needs.
Liver and kidney problems: These organs help your body process fat and protein. Some experts worry that the keto diet could overwork them. Others say that if your organs are healthy, you’re probably fine.
Constipation: Since you’re not eating foods like whole grains and beans, you could miss key sources of fiber.
Gallstones: If you lose weight quickly, you could be more likely to get gallstones.
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