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Diet-Induced Ketosis & Diabetes

Jun 28, 2011 | By Ashley Jacob
Diet-Induced Ketosis & Diabetes
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Diabetes rates have been increasing gradually in the past decades and is affecting 8.3 percent of the American population as of 2011, according to the National Information Diabetes Clearinghouse. The typical diet recommended to diabetics involves a low-fat diet with a relatively high carb content of 45 to 60 g per meal. Although this way of eating may help some diabetics achieve good glycemic control, many diabetics can further improve their blood sugar levels and health by keeping their carb intake even lower, in the range that induces ketosis.

Ketosis

To induce ketosis, you will need to keep your carbs below 50 g a day, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Diet-induced ketosis indicates that your body is using fat and the ketones, a by-product of fat burning, to supply the energy required by your brain, muscles, heart and other tissues and organs. Most Americans eat too much carbohydrates, an average of 300 g a day, to be in ketosis and therefore mainly burn sugar to get the energy they need.

Ketogenic Diets and Diabetes

A study compared the effects of a low-carb, ketogenic diet, which supplied fewer than 50 g of carbs a day, against a low-fat, calorie-reduced, low-glycemic diet, which supplied about 150 g of carbohydrates a day, in Type 2 diabetics. After 24 weeks, Type 2 diabetics following the ketogenic diet reduced their A1C levels, or three-month average blood sugar levels, by 1.5 percent, compared to a decrease of 0.5 percent in the low-glycemic group, as published in the December 2008 in "Nutrition & Metabolism." Type 2 diabetics eating a ketogenic diet lost more weight and had higher HDL cholesterol levels and more of them were able to discontinue or reduce their diabetes medications.

Ketogenic Diet

To follow a ketogenic diet, you need to keep your carbs below 50 g a day. Track your carb intake every day, using online tracking tools or food labels, to stay on track. You will probably need to eliminate all sugars, grains, starchy vegetables, fruits, milk and yogurt to stay within that range. Include plenty of non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli, leafy greens and tomatoes, at each meal -- provided you take their carbs into consideration when you count your daily carbs. Complete each meal with 1 to 2 tbsp. of fat from coconut oil, olive oil, butter, cream, bacon, full-fat cheese, mayonnaise, salad dressings and avocado slices and a moderate serving of protein, about 4 to 6 oz. for most people, from fish, seafood, meat or poultry. Use salt, freshly ground pepper, spices, herbs and vinegar to flavor your meals.

Special Considerations

Diet-induced ketosis is not dangerous for people with diabetes if it is done properly, but ketoacidosis is a serious medical condition that can occur, mostly in Type 1 diabetics, when insulin is totally absent. To follow a safe ketogenic diet and help you improve your diabetes management, consult your doctor because your medications or insulin dosage will require adjustments. Have some blood work done before and three months after getting started to objectively assess the effectiveness of your ketogenic diet on your health. Drastically cutting your carb intake may induce side effects in some people, including headaches, dizziness and fatigue. Include enough fat to provide you with the energy you need and maintain good hydration levels by drinking plenty of water and adding about 1/2 tsp. salt a day to your diet, unless you have a fluid or sodium restriction, as recommended by Dr. Eric C. Westman in "The New Atkins for a New You: The Ultimate Diet for Shedding Weight and Feeling Great."

References

Article reviewed by Helen Covington Last updated on: Jun 28, 2011

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