Does the Ketogenic Diet Work for Type 2 Diabetes?

You’ve probably seen dozens of headlines about the ketogenic diet by now, which has made its way into popular culture largely through the celebrities and supermodels who have given the long-standing fad diet a repeated stamp of approval. Is the keto diet the plan to follow if you have diabetes?

The diet is undoubtedly risky for people with type 1 diabetes, but in terms of type 2 diabetes management, several studies suggest the answer isn’t so simple. Some science shows its meal plan may be helpful, while other research, like one study published in September 2016 in Nutrients, highlights the importance of whole grains in the diets of people with diabetes — a restricted food category in the keto diet.

How Does the Keto Diet Work Exactly?

There’s a good reason why the keto diet is also referred to as a low-carb, high-fat diet. Following the keto diet means reducing carbohydrate intake to typically less than 50 grams (g) of carbohydrates per day, while increasing fat and protein intake, according to a review published in August 2013 in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

What Are Some of the Potential Health Benefits of a Keto Diet for Diabetes?

Here’s how the keto diet may help if you’re managing type 2 diabetes: “With a higher protein and fat intake, individuals may feel less hungry and are often able to lose weight, since protein and fat take longer to digest than carbohydrates,” says the Manhattan Beach, California–based Lori Zanini, RD, CDE, the author of Eat What You Love Diabetes Cookbook. It may also help keep your energy levels up.

The diet may bring other potential benefits, too. A review published in September 2016 in the Journal of Obesity & Eating Disorders suggests that, for a person with diabetes, a keto diet may help improve A1C test results (which show a three-month average of blood sugar levels) better than a low-calorie diet. It may also help lower triglycerides more than a low-fat diet, which is a benefit for people with diabetes who are at a greater risk for heart disease.

Is the Keto Diet the Best Eating Approach for Type 2 Diabetes?

A growing body of research supports using the ketogenic diet as part of a diabetes management plan, and some clinics have introduced therapeutic ketogenic programs. The Cleveland Clinic offers one, and Virta Health, which offers a diet and lifestyle program through telemedicine, has sponsored research showing that using online support may help people with type 2 diabetes lose weight, lower their A1C, and get off diabetes medication more successfully than the diet recommended by the American Diabetes Association. The study was published in February 2018 in Diabetes Therapy.

But the keto diet isn’t necessarily the best path for everyone with diabetes. Some studies suggest other eating plans, like the Mediterranean diet — which is rich in lean meats, fish, nuts, fruits, vegetables, olive oil, and whole grains — can be beneficial for people with the disease.