Diabetes and Ketogenic Nutrition
Keto Medicine
Ketogenic Diet: A “Miracle Cure” for Diabetics?
Article by the Keto doctors Dr. Brigitte Karner and Dr. Wolfgang Karner
Since 2005, we have been successfully supporting many patients in overcoming their diabetes. For us as doctors and for our patients, it is a wonderful experience to normalize the metabolism through a carbohydrate-reduced diet and to experience the health benefits of this form of nutrition.
Diabetes and Ketogenic Nutrition: An Effective Therapy?
The benefits of a ketogenic diet for diabetes
Eating delicious food while successfully treating diabetes with a plant-based, ketogenic diet – too good to be true? Diabetes is a widespread disease: In Germany, around 9 million people are affected, and worldwide about 500 million, with roughly 95% of them suffering from type 2 diabetes. While people with type 1 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, those with type 2 diabetes are unable to use the insulin that is available effectively. Insulin is responsible for transporting sugar from the blood into the cells, where it can be used as energy. When this process is disrupted, too much sugar remains in the bloodstream, which over time leads to serious health issues. The ketogenic diet, which relies on a strongly reduced carbohydrate intake, can help restore these imbalances in the body.
Ketogenic nutrition as a therapy for type 2 diabetes
The ketogenic diet is extremely well suited as a therapy for type 2 diabetes – under the guidance of a doctor or nutritionist trained specifically in this nutritional approach. The goal is to either completely reverse diabetes or at least reduce the need for medication.
How Does the Ketogenic Diet Work for Diabetes?
Better Blood Sugar Control
The most obvious benefit of the ketogenic diet for type 2 diabetes is improved blood sugar control. Fewer carbohydrates mean fewer blood sugar spikes. Many studies show that most people who follow a ketogenic diet achieve stable blood sugar levels without major fluctuations. This also helps significantly reduce cravings and the urge for sugary foods.
Weight Loss and Insulin Resistance
Most people with type 2 diabetes struggle with excess weight. A ketogenic diet helps with weight loss because it suppresses appetite and enables the body to burn stored fat — thanks to lower insulin levels and improved insulin sensitivity.
Reduced Need for Diabetes Medication
Our long-standing experience shows that patients who adopt a ketogenic diet are often able to regularly reduce their need for diabetes medications. By strictly limiting carbohydrate intake, the body can regulate blood sugar and insulin levels independently again, meaning less insulin or other glucose-lowering medications are required.
Improved Heart, Eye, and Nerve Health
Although the ketogenic diet is high in fat, it improves heart health — a crucial factor for diabetics, who are at increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. Sensitive cells, such as nerve cells, also benefit from the energy provided by ketone bodies.
Important Notes for Ketogenic Diabetes Therapy
The ketogenic nutritional therapy for diabetes must be supervised by physicians who have received specialized training in this field. Self-treatment can be dangerous and may lead to metabolic imbalances, particularly hypoglycemia.
Slow Transition: Adjusting to a ketogenic diet can initially be challenging, especially if a person previously consumed many carbohydrates. The body needs time to get used to the new source of energy.
Adequate Hydration: The ketogenic diet can lead to a loss of electrolytes, especially in the first few weeks. It is important to drink enough water and eat mineral-rich foods.
Physical Activity: Exercise has been proven to improve insulin resistance.
Individual Adjustment: Every body reacts differently. It is important to listen to the signals of your body and adjust the diet as needed.
Long-Term Approach: The ketogenic diet should be viewed as a long-term nutritional change, not as a short-term diet. Over time, moderate amounts of carbohydrates can be gradually reintroduced.
Ketogenic Diet: A “Miracle Cure” for Diabetics?
The ketogenic diet is almost a “miracle diet” for diabetics. It is a powerful tool to better control diabetes while also improving overall health. It is worthwhile to talk to a doctor or nutritionist about this option.
Warning: Type 1 Diabetes
Therapeutic attempts to treat Type 1 diabetes with a ketogenic diet must remain reserved for specially trained physicians. In particular, the insulin required for people with Type 1 diabetes must never be discontinued at any time.
The Truth About Modern Dietary Guidelines
Since major studies like PREDIMED and PURE, it has become clear: The dietary guidelines that have been promoted for the last 70 years are wrong! The excess of sugar and carbohydrates is the main factor in the development of many chronic diseases. The demonization of fat in the diet has caused widespread misunderstandings. A low-carbohydrate, plant-based diet with sufficient protein and healthy fats is the key to preventing diabetes, cardiovascular disease, fatty liver, high blood pressure, and other chronic conditions.
Our diabetes patients have achieved impressive results with a ketogenic diet.
This is what our diabetes patients say:
Live lighter and feel stronger!
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Keto specialists and keto physicians
Scientific Studies on Diabetes, Hyperglycemia and the Ketogenic Diet
Lean, M. E. J., et al. (2018). Primary care-led weight management for remission of type 2 diabetes (DiRECT): an open-label, cluster-randomised trial. *The Lancet*, 391(10120), 541-551.
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Paoli, A., et al. (2013). Beyond weight loss: a review of the therapeutic uses of very-low-carbohydrate (ketogenic) diets. *European Journal of Clinical Nutrition*, 67(8), 789-796.
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Bueno, N. B., et al. (2013). Very-low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet v. low-fat diet for long-term weight loss: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. *British Journal of Nutrition*, 110(7), 1178-1187.
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Feinman, R. D., et al. (2015). Dietary carbohydrate restriction as the first approach in diabetes management: critical review and evidence base. *Nutrition*, 31(1), 1-13.
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Yancy, W. S., et al. (2005). A low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet versus a low-fat diet to treat obesity and hyperlipidemia: a randomized, controlled trial. *Annals of Internal Medicine*, 140(10), 769-777.
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Comparing Very Low-Carbohydrate vs DASH Diets for Overweight or Obese Adults With Hypertension and Prediabetes or Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Trial
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Westman, E. C., et al. (2008). The effect of a low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet versus a low-glycemic index diet on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus. *Nutrition & Metabolism*, 5(1), 36.
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Tay, J., et al. (2015). Comparison of low- and high-carbohydrate diets for type 2 diabetes management: a randomized trial. *The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition*, 102(4), 780-790.
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Hallberg, S. J., et al. (2018). Effectiveness and safety of a novel care model for the management of type 2 diabetes at 1 year: an open-label, non-randomized, controlled study. *Diabetes Therapy*, 9, 583-612.
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Davis, N. J., et al. (2009). Comparative study of the effects of a 1-year dietary intervention of a low-carbohydrate diet versus a low-fat diet on weight and glycemic control in type 2 diabetes. *Diabetes Care*, 32(7), 1147-1152.
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Johnstone, A. M., et al. (2008). Effects of a high-protein ketogenic diet on hunger, appetite, and weight loss in obese men feeding ad libitum. *The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition*, 87(1), 44-55.
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Volek, J. S., et al. (2009). Carbohydrate restriction has a more favorable impact on the metabolic syndrome than a low fat diet. *Lipids*, 44(4), 297-309.
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Phinney, S. D., et al. (2004). The human metabolic response to chronic ketosis without caloric restriction: preservation of submaximal exercise capability with reduced carbohydrate oxidation. *Metabolism*, 53(10), 1372-1385.
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McKenzie, A. L., et al. (2017). A novel intervention including individualized nutritional recommendations reduces hemoglobin A1c level, medication use
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The Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study: examining the impact of societal influences on chronic noncommunicable diseases in low-, middle-, and high-income countries
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The PREDIMED study
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