7 Benefits of Keto Diet for Diabetes Type 2 Patients
Comprehensive Diabetes Management
The delivery of energy from our food to our tissues is central to our metabolism, and controlling our blood glucose levels is an important part of that. Blood glucose control is critical for people with Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is defined by elevated blood glucose levels above normal, and people with this disease are effectively carbohydrate intolerant.
It seems absurd that the first line of dietary advice is still to consume carbohydrates, though the tide is thankfully turning, with more and more doctors recognising the power of low carb diabetes keto diet in the management of Type 2 diabetes.
No More Energy Spikes
The insulin or sugar crash that many people experience during the day (especially in the mid-afternoon) is caused by consuming high glucose foods (highly processed carbohydrates). The insulin response that follows quickly lowers our blood sugar levels, leaving us with low energy levels.
We can better regulate our blood glucose levels and avoid these energy spikes by eating fewer carbohydrates- yes a Keto is a better choice!
Improved HbA1c
HBA1c is a blood glucose test that is used to determine how blood glucose levels have changed over the last few months. Diabetics are at a higher risk of developing serious health complications such as damage to organs including the eyes, kidneys, and heart if blood sugar levels remain high (Hyperglycemia).
However, if blood glucose control is maintained over a long period of time, the risk of these complications occurring is reduced.
Lowers Medication Dependence
Patients with Type 2 diabetes who do not address their carbohydrate consumption can usually expect to be taking more and more medications as their disease progresses.
Just a few years ago, it was widely accepted that Type 2 diabetes was a progressive, worsening disease that could be managed with medications and diet but not reversed. We now know, thankfully, that this is not the case.
Enhances Cardiovascular Risk Biomarkers
We’re talking about heart attacks and strokes. People are frequently concerned about the increased fat consumption that comes with low carb diets particularly diabetics keto diets.
However, research shows that low carb diets such as keto diet, improve many of the markers that are commonly associated with heart disease.
Lowers Blood Pressure
Hypertension is widely recognised as the single greatest risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. It should come as no surprise that reducing carbs lowers blood pressure. A diabetic keto diet is proven to have long term effects on lowering blood pressure.
Enhances HDL
We’ve all heard about the epic battle against cholesterol. HDL vs LDL.
While much attention appears to be focused on lowering LDL, very little attention appears to be focused on increasing good cholesterol levels. Most likely because drug companies have yet to provide medication to do so. The good news is that low carbohydrate and ketogenic diets are especially effective at raising HDL levels.
Additional Benefits of Keto Diet for Diabetes Type 2 Patients
Now the benefits of a Keto Diet or Keto Meal Plan for Diabetics has been proven across various medial publications and journals as well as researches conducted over the years.
- Many scientists now believe that when it comes to bad cholesterol, we’ve been focusing on the wrong thing, and that the size of the LDL particle matters more than the total number. While low carbohydrate and ketogenic diets often result in higher LDL levels, the particles are thought to be larger and fluffier, making them less damaging to the walls of our arteries.
- When too much carbohydrate is consumed, the liver produces these fats. We also see a significant improvement in triglyceride levels on low carb diets.
- Low carb diets are especially effective at removing fat from our waistlines. Because this fat is located inside our abdominal cavities, around our internal organs, it is extremely harmful to our health.
- Fatty liver disease is caused by an excess of refined carbohydrates when it is not caused by alcohol. Small but promising studies have shown that low carb, ketogenic diets can reverse fatty liver disease quickly.
People with Type 1 diabetes can also expect lower blood sugar diabetic, that is better blood sugar control, fewer hypos, and less insulin use. As a result, this long-term improvement in blood glucose control should reduce the risk of complications in the future. A disciplined diabetes keto diet reduces the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes in the first place, just as it can help Type 2 diabetics manage their condition more easily.