Can Keto Diet Cause Diabetes?

With mixed answers all over the internet for the effect of keto on diabetes, you are confused about whether to opt for the ketogenic diet or not.

So, can keto diet cause diabetes? If you maintain your health and follow the diet correctly, rest assured you will not get diabetes because of the keto diet. It helps control blood sugar levels and is likely to reduce the risk of diabetes. 

That said, you must understand that the effect of keto on diabetics varies according to the diabetes type. For patients with type 1 diabetes, the diet is rather risky, though it can give mixed results for an individual with type 2 diabetes. Keto might as well help some type 2 diabetes patients by lowering the blood sugar level and reducing the need for insulin.

Still wary about the keto diet? Read on to learn how it works and it's potential influences on diabetes patients (we linked some studies too)!

What is Nutritional Ketosis

Keto diet stimulates the process of nutritional ketosis in your body. It is a metabolic progression wherein your body burns up fat cells instead of carbohydrates to produce energy. Resultantly, you require a minimal amount of carbs and more fats and protein.

So, how does it help?

Through nutritional ketosis, your body produces small molecules known as ketones.

These bits are made of liver fat, providing the energy required by the brain, muscles, and heart for functioning. Additionally, these molecules help in reducing inflammation and decreasing free radicals that can cause harmful chain reactions.

Both of these factors are known to be prime causes behind type 2 diabetes. 

Thus, nutritional ketosis is considered beneficial for type 2 diabetics. That being said, you must understand that nutritional ketosis is entirely different from ketoacidosis.

While both processes involve the production of ketones, ketoacidosis is a relatively dangerous condition for diabetics. It results in a situation wherein your body does not have adequate insulin with a critically high ketone magnitude. Resultantly, you will face problems like increased levels of fatigue, urination, puzzlement, and thirst.

On the contrary, nutritional ketosis only produces safe levels of ketones. Moreover, it will occur in your body even during the usual course according to your carbs and protein intake.

Don't worry we'll go more in depth about ketoacidosis in a minute.

How Does the Ketogenic Routine Affect A Diabetes Patient?

A ketogenic routine requires you to have negligible amounts of carbohydrates and more fats. As a result, your blood insulin level reduces as fat does not need it for energy conversion. Thus, it proves to be helpful for individuals with type 2 diabetes.

That said, there is no extensive research on the effect of a ketogenic routine on type 1 diabetes patients. 

However, several studies show that this diet can aid in controlling HbA1C levels of typ2 diabetics. It is the total amount of glucose in your body over the last three months.

Potential Benefits

Reduced carbs, increased fats, and moderate protein amounts can actually prove to be quite favorable. Here are some of the possible benefits of a ketogenic diet on patients with type 2 diabetes.

Maintains Glucose

Individuals with type 2 diabetes are often recommended to reduce the consumption of carbohydrates. That is because carbs turn into sugar, increasing the blood sugar level.

A ketogenic regime is likely to help control blood glucose levels due to reduced carb intake.

That said, you must remember that the carb count may vary among different individuals. You must consult your doctor before adopting this diet.

Helps in Weight Loss

One of the prime benefits of following a keto diet is the burning of fats.

When on this diet, your body suffices its energy requirements by using up fats instead of carbs, aiding weight loss. More so, if the reason behind your type 2 diabetes condition was excess body mass.

Research also shows that the ketogenic diet proved to reduce weight better than another low-fat diet. Moreover, if you follow this regime along with light exercise, it will likely help control glycemia and result in overall well-being.

Eliminates Sudden Spikes in Sugar Levels

During or after meals, you may often experience an instant rise in blood sugar followed by a sudden fall. According to a study of the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the keto diet helps control the blood sugar level.

Therefore, it helps reduce rapid fluctuations of sugar content in your body that can degrade a type 2 diabetic’s condition. The instabilities may also be a major reason behind type 2 diabetes in healthy individuals.

Reduces Medical Dependence

Most diabetes medication is taken to reduce the raised level of sugars.

However, if it is already in control with the keto diet, you may not have to depend on such medicines. That said, you must thoroughly discuss with your doctor before adopting this diet.

That is because though it may reduce glycemia, it may increase the chances of low blood sugar levels. However, once you see the positive effects of this diet, ask your doctor and discard these medicines for the good.

Potential Dangers

Though a ketonic regime has plenty of benefits for diabetics, it may also have a few harmful effects.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Problem: If the keto diet does not suit your body, it may result in a rapid increase in the fat-burning rate. As a result, the ketone level will be too high, due to which your blood may become acidic.

Solution: Consult your doctor and increase the consumption of insulin to combat ketoacidosis.

Hypoglycemia

Problem: While the ketogenic diet helps reduce blood sugar, it can sometimes go wrong. If the sugar level decreases to a great extent (70 mg/dl or less), it can result in hypoglycemia. This condition can further cause seizures, unconsciousness, etc.

Solution: Try to correct your glucose level by consuming sweet items like candy, fruit juice, glucose, etc.

Lack of Nutrients

Problem: Keto diet limits not only your carbs but also certain other vital nutrients. For example, keto restricts whole grains, a rich source of fiber and other micronutrients.

Solution: Follow a clean keto diet that includes low-carb nutritious food like broccoli, spinach, macadamia nuts, etc.

A Diabetes-Friendly Keto Regimen

To follow a keto diet adequately, you need not sacrifice your nutritional requirements.

You just need to eat low-carb foods that do not increase the sugar level in your body.

Create a food regime with 10% carbohydrates, 20% protein, and 70% fat.

Here is a list of nutritious items that are perfectly suitable for diabetics on keto!

Wrap Up

The ketogenic diet, if followed accurately, can prove to be highly beneficial for all. It has some significant benefits like control in weight, blood sugar, and others like cholesterol and blood pressure improvement. Moreover, it also helps improve the health of diabetic patients.

So, can keto cause diabetes? 

Though it is a much-debated topic, the studies mentioned in this article signify that keto does not cause diabetes. On the contrary, it helps improve your fitness levels by aiding weight loss and improving the overall well-being.

Before taking up this diet, you must consider your health aspects and regularly monitor your condition thereafter to ensure successful results.

So, go ahead and incorporate a healthy keto diet in your regime to enjoy its numerous benefits!