The Importance of Sunscreen
As we spend more time outdoors during the warm summer months, it's important to protect our skin from the harmful effects of the sun.
Pros and Cons of Keto for Type 2
A ketogenic diet, or “keto” diet, as it’s more commonly called, consists of eating a liberal amount of fat and decent amount of protein while aiming to drastically reduce consumption of carbohydrates, including sugars, starches, and fiber. The diet originated as treatment for epilepsy, but has more recently gained attention for its potential benefits in weight reduction and improved glycemic control.
However, the research varies on the reliability of these claims, and much more research is needed to learn about potential long-term side effects. Even so, many are jumping on the keto bandwagon in hopes of slimming down and relying less on diabetes medication.
Thinking of trying out the keto diet yourself? Here are the pros and cons and what the research really tells us.
Potential Benefits
A ketogenic diet reduces carbohydrates—the body’s main source of energy—so that the body will essentially switch gears and start using fat for energy instead. The research demonstrates that a ketogenic diet can provide significant weight loss and can have great impact in reducing obesity. Drastically reducing carbohydrates may also help to stabilize blood sugar levels and minimize the need for insulin, since there is less incidence of a blood sugar spike with fewer carbohydrates entering the body.
Other research has explored the effect of a ketogenic diet on diabetes and found that it can have a positive impact on hemoglobin A1c. It is important to note that several of these studies focused primarily on Type 1 diabetes rather than Type 2.
In contrast to other popular low-carb diets, the keto diet focuses on eating large amounts of heart-healthy fats from foods like eggs, nuts, seeds, salmon, and avocado. Most keto books and diet plans also focus on deriving the majority of nutrients from minimally-processed, whole foods.
Potential Risks
One unique feature of the keto diet is that its impact on obesity has been studied far more than many other popularized diets out there. But, while research has proven that keto aids in weight loss, studies about its effectiveness for diabetes management have been inconclusive, with some conflicting research—much of which has mainly been conducted on mice.
For example, some studies have actually seen an increase in insulin resistance (poor glucose tolerance) in mice that consumed a ketogenic diet. The mechanism behind the worsened insulin resistance is not entirely understood, yet it does seem to question the safety of the amount of fat that is consumed on the diet.
Other research questions the effectiveness of the keto diet on males versus females because of the role that carbohydrates play on hormones and the endocrine system. Some studies have found that male mice actually reap the weight-loss benefits more from a keto diet than female mice, while females actually ended up gaining weight and developed impaired glucose tolerance. This may be due, in part, to drastically reduced carbohydrates causing an increase in stress hormones, impacting serotonin levels, progesterone, and insulin metabolism—all which are needed to maintain a healthy, hormonal balance in the female body.
One additional concern with the keto diet—although it is rare—is the risk of developing diabetic ketoacidosis, which is a risk when blood sugar is high and the ketones are at a dangerous level in the body. However, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is primarily seen in those with Type 1 Diabetes and is much less common in those with Type 2 Diabetes.
Conclusion
Overall, it’s still unclear the impact that following a ketogenic diet can have on those trying to manage diabetes. So, if you’re considering adopting this diet (or any other), it’s always best to talk with your physician or dietitian first to see how the change in eating might affect your health and any medications you might be taking.
SOURCE:
BY ANNA PANZARELLA, RD AUGUST 12, 2019, "Pros and Cons of Keto for Type 2", www.webmd.com, https://blogs.webmd.com/diabetes/20190812/pros-and-cons-of-keto-for-type-2.
You Might Also Enjoy...
How NightLase® Can Help With Snoring
If your snoring wakes up everyone in your household, you need help — and so do they. Find out how a simple laser treatment can have everyone within earshot sleeping like babies.
How Laser Therapy Can Help Decrease Vaginal Dryness and Increase Sexual Pleasure
You know what collagen can do for your face — imagine what it can do for you “down there.” Here’s how you can boost collagen, tighten your vagina, and have the better sex without medication, injections, or surgery.
Five Signs You Could Be Suffering From Low Testosterone
You can’t turn on the TV or scroll through your social media feed without seeing an ad for a product that promises to boost your testosterone, but how do you know if you have low T? And what should you do if you do? Find out here.
Why Do I Still Get Acne, and How Can I Get Rid of It Without Medication?
Zits and pimples are classic teen problems, so why do you still have to deal with them as an adult? Learn about the many factors involved in adult acne and an effective, drug-free way to get rid of it.
GREAT! More Things To Take
Deciding whether to take dietary supplements and which ones to take is a serious matter – I’m not even exaggerating!