Can Keto Diet Cause Diabetes?

What Is Keto Diet?

Keto diet focuses on eating foods that are high in fat, moderate in protein and very low in carbs. Standard keto diet focuses on getting you into “ketosis,” which is a metabolic state wherein your body is burning fat (rather than carbs) for energy

Types of Keto Diet

The cyclical ketogenic diet, which allows for eating 100-150 grams of clean carbs one to two days per week.

The targeted ketogenic diet, which follows the same rules but asks you to time when you eat carbs, such as before or after a workout.

The very low carb diet (VLCD) approach, which allows people to eat high fat, moderate protein, and very low carbs. Compared to the standard keto diet, this is more generous. It allows for 100-150 grams of carbs daily, versus the standard keto’s 50 grams daily or the cyclical keto’s approach and may not get you into ketosis.

Main Question: Can Keto Cause Diabetes?

Diabetes, a disease stemming from high blood glucose, affects about 10% of the American population. It’s a serious disease that must be treated. Over one-third of Americans have prediabetes, and most are unaware that they have it.

Here’s what you should know about it:

In type 1 diabetes, your body doesn’t make any insulin; this is typically diagnosed in childhood and requires lifelong medication.

In the more common type 2 diabetes, the body doesn’t make or use insulin properly.

People with prediabetes have higher-than-normal blood sugar. Prediabetes can lead to type 2 diabetes if left unchecked.

Gestational diabetes is diabetes that occurs when you are pregnant. It generally resolves after giving birth, but can increase your risk of type 2 diabetes later on.

Because the keto diet is so low in carbs, it may be appealing to people with diabetes. Here’s why:

When you eat carbohydrates, your body breaks them down via the digestive system. If the carbs are digestible, they are turned into sugars, which enter your bloodstream.

The more sugar in your bloodstream, the more need for insulin (which the pancreas produces in healthy people). Insulin is what tells the cells to use the sugar for: energy or energy storage.

When your cells begin to use the blood sugar, glucagon is released by your pancreas. This hormone tells your body to start storing the blood sugar for energy. The hormones insulin and glucagon work together to make sure you have enough energy.

When you have diabetes, it’s because your body isn’t using insulin properly or can’t make enough (or any) insulin.

Benefits of Keto For Diabetics

Quick weight loss

Lower A1C levels

Improved glycemic (or blood sugar) control

Lower triglycerides

Insulin resistance improvement

May reduce need for insulin

Increases heart-healthy HDL (or “good”) cholesterol levels

Improves cognitive function

Fun Fact; The British Journal of Nutrition found that people using a keto diet dropped and kept off more weight than people on other diets, especially low-fat diets.

There is no definitive answer to this question as the research on keto and diabetes is ongoing. However, some people believe that the keto diet may be able to cause or worsen diabetes symptoms in some people.

Make smart choices and don't get discouraged whilst on the keto diet.

Check with your doctor before embarking on a keto diet if you are diabetic.

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