Diabetes, a metabolic disorder, results in abnormal blood sugar levels in our bodies. If not checked, it can cause significant damage to the body. While medicines have their role to play, dietary changes can positively impact blood sugar levels. When thinking of making a lifestyle change for improved health, people ask, ”Which is the most effective and the best diet for diabetes?” The consensus believes that the Keto diet is the best for diabetes, as it is a low-carb diet.
Keto meals target a lower blood sugar level by decreasing the carbohydrate in the diet. Simply, it is a low-carb, high-fat diet plan.
The Keto diet meal plan advocates the following conditions:
The Keto diet has been here for a century now. It is thought to be beneficial as a therapeutic tool for various medical conditions such as:
– Epilepsy in kids
– Parkinson’s
– PCOS
– Diabetes
– Dementia
– Bipolar Disorders
– Some Cancers
When a diabetic person follows the Keto diet meal plan, the body goes into a stage of ketosis. Ketosis is when the body starts to use the body fat for energy as opposed to carbohydrates. This phenomenon has popularised the belief that the Keto diet for diabetics is beneficial in terms of weight loss and blood sugar control.
The word ketosis should not be confused with Ketoacidosis. Ketoacidosis is a complication of diabetes. When the blood sugar reaches high levels and there is a lack of insulin, the body starts breaking fat cells to meet the energy requirements. Ketones are released in the blood as a result of fat breakdown. High levels of ketones can be fatal and result in Ketoacidosis.
Under certain circumstances, the keto diet may harm the body more than doing good.
Not monitoring blood sugar levels when eating keto meals can be dangerous. As the ketosis begins in a few weeks of the diet, the blood sugar levels can take a dip. If the monitoring is irregular and medicine dosage is not adjusted to the changing blood sugar levels, it can cause serious issues.
If the keto diet is not followed actively, the blood sugar levels may consequently increase. As per research, the keto diet for diabetes does not allow the body to utilise insulin optimally. It can result in insulin resistance, increasing the risk of type-2 diabetes.
Since the keto diet advocates 75% of fat as the main component of the diet, it can be detrimental. Often patients with diabetes also have higher chances of Dyslipidaemia (abnormally elevated cholesterol levels or fats in the blood). The increased fat intake can shoot up cholesterol levels.
Though there is a lack of evidence to support the theory, there can be a link between the keto diet and the risk of obesity and heart diseases.
If the diet is not maintained properly or left abruptly, there can be rebound weight gain after the diet. The body metabolism and insulin levels may not adjust accordingly. This behaviour of the body can create a problem.
Consult the diabetologist if you feel any of the below signs and symptoms when following the keto diet for diabetics:
Also Read: Is Coconut Milk Keto? Exploring its Potential in a Keto Diet
The keto diet is known to have some side effects. Unmonitored keto meals or keto diet plans that are not in sync with the diabetic and metabolic history of the person can have side effects. Some of the side effects that may occur with keto meals include:
The basic premise of keto meals and their impact on blood sugar levels makes it one of the contenders as the best diet for diabetics. Dietary requirements, calorie intake, body metabolism, and type of diabetes vary amongst individuals. Experts suggest that a person with diabetes must follow a diet that is sustainable for a long period of time. Keto diet or other extreme diet plans may show exciting results in a short duration, but they are difficult to follow throughout life. One must learn about a healthy nutrition plan for diabetes from their doctor and registered nutritionist based on their eating habits, choice and health needs.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
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Ketosis and ketoacidosis may be similar-sounding terms, but they are completely different conditions. While one helps to lose weight and extra fat in the body, the other is a life-threatening condition that can be controlled. Let us look at what both ‘Ketosis and Ketoacidosis’ mean.
The full term is known as Diabetic Ketoacidosis. It usually occurs in people with Type 1 diabetes. When the insulin levels drop too much, the blood sugar becomes very high. Since insulin is responsible for transporting the glucose molecules to the cells, they feel starved. To derive energy for biological processes, the body starts burning fat. This leads to the formation of ketones in the blood that is acidic. This causes a chemical imbalance in blood and is known as Diabetic Ketoacidosis. The condition can cause serious harm to various organs and shut down the human body.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis can be life-threatening if left untreated. The elevated acid levels in the body can result in loss of consciousness, going into a coma and even death. While it is primarily a condition that affects those with Type 1 diabetes, in rare cases it can affect those with Type 2 diabetes when their insulin levels fall really low.
The various causes of diabetic ketoacidosis are the inefficient management of diabetes or low levels of insulin. Injuries, illnesses, socially urinary tract infections, and pneumonia, emotional or physical trauma, drug abuse, excessive alcohol consumption, steroids medication and diuretics affect insulin levels tremendously. Those who have recently had a heart attack or a pancreatic infection are also vulnerable to diabetic ketoacidosis. The condition can develop in a short period, sometimes within 24 hours. Research says that diabetic ketoacidosis is the leading cause of death in people less than 24 years of age.
You can take some important steps to help prevent diabetic ketoacidosis which includes – Checking your blood sugar often, especially if you’re sick, keeping your blood sugar levels in your target range as much as possible, taking medicines as prescribed, even if you feel fine, consulting your doctor about how to adjust your insulin based on what you eat, how active you are, or if you’re sick.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
Treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis usually involves the administration of insulin and electrolytes. Insulin helps to bring down the high glucose levels and electrolytes are given to replenish those that have been lost due to urination, vomiting and loss of appetite and to restore nerve, muscle and heart function.
Prevention of diabetic ketoacidosis is through good control of blood sugar levels. If the sugar levels are consistently higher than 300mg/dL, call an emergency. Keep urine test strips that check for ketone levels at home or with you if you will be away from home for a long time. If the tests show moderate to high levels of ketones, consult your doctor immediately. Drink plenty of fluids to flush out the toxins from the blood and take insulin medicines or injections to help your body.
The situation improves within 48 hours of being administered medical treatment. The doctor may review your insulin dosage to avoid further emergencies.
However, Ketoacidosis is not to be confused with ketosis. Ketosis and Ketoacidosis, while they may sound similar to the untrained mind, they are very different. Let’s learn how.
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Ketosis is a natural biological state that the body enters into when burning fat as fuel in the absence of glucose. It happens in those who follow a low carbohydrate diet or those who have been fasting. To burn fats instead of sugars is the aim of many low-carb diets that aim at weight reduction.
Those who follow a ketogenic diet undergo the process of ketosis. They limit their intake of carbohydrates and eat high fat and a moderate amount of protein in their diet. The protein aspect of the ketogenic diet is important since it stops the body from using up muscles (which are made of proteins) as a source of fuel. Forced to turn to fats, the body becomes leaner and fitter.
Ketones are the byproduct of fat-burning in the body. The liver burns off the fatty acids to provide fuel to the body and the ketones, thus formed, provide energy to the vital organs. A ketogenic diet helps to burn fat as the carb intake is much lesser. Plus it has more satiety levels. Research done on the ketogenic diet shows that it improves brain performance, reduces seizures in epileptic patients, benefits those with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s and enhances the performance of those who are involved in long stretches of exercise. The Ketogenic diet, when done under the supervision of experts, can help diabetics in executing good blood glucose control. It helps to boost the overall metabolic health of any individual.
There are some groups that must not follow the ketosis pattern of weight loss. Pregnant women, lactating mothers, people with kidney damage, and those who take certain medications must avoid ketosis happening in their bodies.
Diabetics who are on a weight loss journey will have some amount of ketones in their blood and urine. This is not a cause of worry as long as the blood sugar levels are kept within the permissible limits. The blood sugar levels must never cross 250mg/dL.
Ketosis and diabetic ketoacidosis are two conditions that are often confused with one another. While ketosis is a metabolic state the body goes into when it begins to burn stored fat for energy, diabetic ketoacidosis is a complication of diabetes (typically type 1 diabetes) which causes the body to produce excess blood acids.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Both the conditions, Ketosis and Ketoacidosis sound the same but are vastly different. If you plan to undergo a ketosis treatment voluntarily, talk to your doctor to rule out any possible negative outcomes. If you are a diabetic, continue taking insulin medicines even if you are ill or have suffered an injury. Take your medication on time to avoid complications. In case you feel you are suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis, call your doctor and head to the emergency section.
| Ketosis | Ketoacidosis |
| Helps the body | Harms the body |
| Low levels of ketones in the bloodstream | High levels of ketones in the bloodstream |
| A natural process of the body | Brought about by poor management of diabetes |
| Safe | Unsafe |
| Occurs due to low quantities of carbohydrates in the diet | Occurs due to low levels of insulin in the body |
| Can happen to anyone | Affects only those with diabetes |
| Doesn’t require medical treatment | Needs immediate medical attention |
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
