A ketogenic diet may help people with diabetes manage blood sugar levels and possibly reduce the need for insulin medication. However, there may be possible risks associated with it.
The ketogenic (keto) diet is a high fat, low carb diet that may change the way your body stores and uses energy. With the keto diet, your body
The diet was created in the 1920s as a treatment for epilepsy, but the effects of this eating pattern are also being studied for health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, among others.
Keep reading to learn more about the keto diet’s possible benefits, risks, and alternatives for diabetes.
The goal of the keto diet is to have the body use fat for energy instead of carbohydrates or glucose, a state known as ketosis. The macronutrient ratio of the
- Fat: 55% to 60%
- Protein: 30% to 35%
- Carbs: 5% to 10%
On the keto diet, you get most of your energy (calories) from fat, with very little coming from carbs. This doesn’t mean you should load up on saturated fats, though. Heart-healthy fats are the key to sustaining overall health.
Some healthy foods commonly eaten in the ketogenic diet include:
- eggs
- fish, such as salmon
- cottage cheese
- avocado
- olives and olive oil
- nuts and nut butters
- seeds
The ketogenic diet has the potential to decrease blood glucose levels.
A 2021 review found that people with diabetes who adopted a keto diet experienced improvements in HbA1c tests after 3 weeks, with effects lasting longer than 1 year. This also correlated with a reduction in diabetes medications.
The researchers also found that a keto diet might help reduce the risk of diabetes complications and comorbidities by reducing inflammation and facilitating weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.
Managing carb intake is
However, it’s important to note that carb counts should be established on an individual basis with the help of a doctor. Similarly, understanding how different types of carbs affect your blood sugar levels is crucial.
For instance, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends:
- eating whole, non-starchy, complex, and high fiber carbs
- limiting simple, refined, and sugary carbs
A doctor could help develop the best dietary approach for your diabetes.
Changing your body’s primary energy source from carbohydrates to fat causes an increase in ketones in the blood. This “dietary ketosis” is
When you switch to a keto diet, you may experience some short-term side effects while your body adapts to using ketones as its primary energy source. These side effects, known as the “keto flu,” may
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Can the keto diet cause diabetic ketoacidosis?
People with unmanaged diabetes have a higher risk of developing diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life threatening complication that occurs when you have too many ketones in your blood, making it more acidic.
Although the keto diet increases ketones in the blood, these are usually managed by the insulin produced in the body or from your diabetes medication, according to Diabetes UK.
That said, unmanaged diabetes may increase the risk of DKA. DKA is most prevalent in type 1 diabetes, but it’s also possible in type 2 diabetes.
It’s important to get immediate medical attention if you experience any symptoms of DKA, such as:
- dry mouth
- increased feelings of thirst
- frequent urination
- nausea
- breath that has a fruit-like odor
- breathing difficulties
If you’re on the ketogenic diet, test your blood sugar levels throughout the day to make sure they are within their target range. Also, consider testing ketone levels to make sure you’re not at risk for DKA.
The ADA recommends testing for ketones if your blood sugar is higher than 240 mg/dL. You can test at home with urine strips.
The Atkins diet is one of the most famous low carb, high protein diets that’s often associated with the keto diet. However, the two diets have some major differences.
Dr. Robert C. Atkins created the Atkins diet in 1972. It’s often promoted for weight loss and possibly managing health conditions like diabetes.
While a healthcare professional may recommend cutting excess carbs as a first step to managing diabetes, limited research has examined the direct effects of the Atkins diet on diabetes.
If you have overweight or obesity, losing weight — whether it’s from the Atkins diet or another program — can
Unlike the keto diet, the Atkins diet doesn’t necessarily advocate increased fat consumption, but you might increase your fat intake by limiting carbs and eating more animal protein.
The potential drawbacks are similar, such as increased saturated fat intake and hypoglycemia from carb restriction.
It’s important to speak with a healthcare professional before trying any low carb diets for diabetes.
Research on the best diets for diabetes is mixed. The best diet for you may depend on several factors, such as the type of diabetes, your medication plan, and other health conditions.
According to a 2023 review, the following dietary patterns may have some benefits for people living with diabetes:
However, the authors conclude that more research is needed to fully understand how dietary patterns could impact diabetes. As such, it’s best to work with a doctor or registered dietitian to develop the best diet for you.
The ketogenic diet is a low carb, high fat diet that may help you manage blood sugar levels and reduce the need to use insulin medications.
That said, it’s important to note that more research is needed to fully understand the role ketogenic diets may play in diabetes management.
It’s possible to experience short-term side effects like nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. In rare cases, people with type 1 diabetes may also experience low blood sugar.
If you have diabetes and aren’t sure what foods to eat, consider speaking with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian. They could help develop a dietary plan for you.