A doctor has explained how following one particular diet could not only be beneficial for improving health but may also mean no longer needing certain medication. Speaking to Steven Bartlett on his Diary Of A CEO podcast show, insulin and glucose expert Dr Benjamin Bikman says the keto diet is well worth trying, especially for people who have or are at risk of type 2 diabetes.
Dr Bikman is a metabolic scientist and Professor of Cell Biology and Physiology. He is the host of The Metabolic Classroom podcast and author of books such as Why We Get Sick: The Hidden Epidemic at the Root of Most Chronic Disease – and How to Fight It.
The ketogenic diet offers various health advantages, such as aiding in weight loss, enhancing cholesterol levels, and lowering blood sugar. By restricting carbohydrate intake, it encourages the body to use fat for energy, which can lead to weight loss.
The keto diet can also contribute to better cholesterol management, help maintain stable blood sugar levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce hunger. It may also be beneficial for tackling epilepsy, metabolic syndrome, and some types of cancer.
However, it is no secret that the keto diet can be difficult to follow. It has been known to often cause side effects, like constipation and ‘keto breath’. Some doctors avoid recommending the keto diet to some patients because they consider it unrealistic and unsustainable. Speak to your GP before making any drastic diet or lifestyle changes to ensure they don’t do more harm than good.
Speaking to BBC Dragons’ Den star Steven Bartlett in the new episode, Dr Bikman explained how following a keto diet could be highly rewarding for people trying to control blood sugar levels, or have been diagnosed with prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes. He even claims that after a few weeks of following the diet, such people may no longer require diabetes medication.
“I would say the more a person has a disorder or a disease that benefits from ketosis, the more than they ought to focus on it. Like if someone has type 2 diabetes, if they adopt a ketogenic diet, they will be off all of their diabetes medications in months – all of them.”
Some of the most common diabetes medications include metformin, sulfonylureas, and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists. Other common diabetes medications include Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, Thiazolidinediones (TZDs), Alpha glucosidase inhibitors, and Prandial glucose regulators.
A study by Indiana University showed a big drop in medication use among people on the keto diet. About 60% of those using insulin stopped needing it entirely.
Medication use went down a lot in the keto group, unlike the control group where it stayed the same or went up. Overall, 47% of people on the keto diet achieved remission or reversal after one year and 38% after two years. In the control group, 7-10% of people achieved remission or reversal after one-two years.
What is the keto diet?
The ketogenic diet, commonly known as the keto diet, is a low-carbohydrate eating plan that focuses on obtaining a higher percentage of calories from fats and proteins rather than carbs. The main objective is to encourage the body to burn stored fat for energy instead of relying on sugar.
What to eat:
- Fish and seafood
- Meat and poultry
- Non-starchy vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, and zucchini
- Eggs
- Avocados
- Nuts, seeds, and healthy oils
- High-fat dairy products like cheese, plain Greek yoghurt, and cottage cheese
- High-cocoa chocolate
What to avoid:
- Grains like wheat, oats, rice, barley, rye, buckwheat, and quinoa
- Starchy vegetables like potatoes, peas, sweet potatoes, yams, corn, cassava, and artichoke
- Refined carbs like bread, pasta, pastries, tortillas, and sandwiches
- Many fruits, which are high in carbs
The ketogenic diet is often praised for its impact on metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and overall health. At its core, the keto diet significantly reduces carbohydrate intake while increasing fat consumption, shifting the body’s primary energy source from glucose to fat. This metabolic state, known as ketosis, has profound effects on both weight management and metabolic health.
One of the keto diet’s main advantages is its ability to lower insulin levels. When carbohydrate intake is reduced, less insulin is needed to manage blood sugar levels. High insulin levels are linked to insulin resistance, a condition that is associated with various chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular conditions.
How the keto diet affects the body:
The keto diet can help improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of these diseases by promoting lower insulin levels. Ketosis produces ketones, an alternative energy source that the brain and body can utilise.
Ketones are an efficient fuel and have neuroprotective properties, which may benefit brain health. Some studies suggest that ketones can enhance cognitive function and may even play a role in managing neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, often referred to as ‘type 3 diabetes’ due to its association with insulin resistance in the brain.
The diet may also help promote weight loss by increasing fat oxidation and enhancing metabolic rate. Research indicates that individuals on a keto diet may burn fat more effectively. The increased metabolic rate associated with ketosis means that the body becomes more efficient at burning calories, even when at rest.
Another important aspect is the satiating effect of fats and proteins. When following a keto diet, many individuals report reduced hunger and cravings, which can lead to lower overall caloric intake without the need for strict calorie counting. This is particularly advantageous for long-term weight management.
How can a keto diet improve blood sugar?
Following a ketogenic diet may lead to significant improvements in health metrics for some individuals, potentially reducing or even eliminating the need for certain medications, particularly for conditions such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. The keto diet focuses on high-fat, low-carbohydrate intake, which can improve insulin sensitivity and lower insulin levels.
This metabolic shift helps regulate blood glucose levels and can lead to weight loss, both of which are crucial for managing diabetes. For individuals with type 2 diabetes, reducing carbohydrate intake through a keto diet can help stabilise blood sugar levels, leading to a decrease in the need for medications like insulin or oral hypoglycemia.
Studies have shown that some people can achieve normal blood glucose levels on a keto diet, allowing them to reduce or discontinue their diabetes medications under medical supervision. Dr Bikman also said the keto diet might be beneficial for migraine sufferers and people with epilepsy.
What are the risks associated with a keto diet?
However, it’s essential to approach this carefully. Not everyone will experience the same results, and the decision to reduce or stop medication should only be made in consultation with a healthcare provider. This is particularly important because abrupt changes in diet can affect medication dosages, especially for those on insulin or other blood sugar-lowering drugs.
The keto diet may also have implications for other health conditions. For instance, some individuals with epilepsy have successfully used a ketogenic diet as a therapeutic approach to reduce seizure frequency, sometimes allowing for decreased medication dosages.
That said, while the keto diet has potential benefits, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Individual responses can vary based on factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and overall health conditions. For some, medication may still be necessary, especially if they have multiple health issues or if the diet alone does not achieve the desired health outcomes.
In summary, while a ketogenic diet may reduce or eliminate the need for certain medications for some individuals, especially those with type 2 diabetes or obesity, it is crucial to work with healthcare professionals to monitor health closely and adjust treatment plans as needed.
What does Diabetes UK say?
On the organisation’s website, a statement reads: “The evidence shows they can be safe and effective in helping people with type 2 diabetes manage their weight, blood glucose (sugar) levels and risk of heart disease in the short term.
But the evidence also shows they can affect growth in children, and so should not be recommended for them. And there is little evidence to show the benefits of this type of diet in people with type 1. If you do decide to follow a low-carb diet, it’s important to know all the potential benefits and how to manage any potential risks.”