Using the Ketogenic Diet to Reverse Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

“In contrast to pharmacological attempts to mitigate glucose absorption or accelerate glucose excretion, a rational paradigm is to simply reduce glucose consumption.”

Often, when a person is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, they are started on metformin until it worsens and eventually more medications and/or insulin injections are added to their list. In this study [https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jdr/2019/8681959/], researchers looked at using diet instead of medications to reverse type 2 diabetes, without the use of medications.

Eleven women who were newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes were enrolled in this study. A ketogenic diet, one in which carbohydrates are kept to a minimum and fat is the primary source of calories, was prescribed. Participants received weekly dietary guidance visits for 3 months. Labs were drawn to ensure they were truly in ketosis.

All subjects had an improvement. Nine of 11 of the women no longer met the criteria for diabetes by the end of the study. The women lost an average of 9 kilograms of body weight. Blood pressure dropped from an average of 134/90 to 123/83, and average hemoglobin A1c (a measure of diabetes) dropped from 8.9 (diabetic range) to 5.6 (normal range). Triglyceride levels dropped while HDL levels (good cholesterol) rose.

The authors conclude, “We submit these data as modest, yet undeniable, evidence that a dietary intervention that restricts carbohydrate and emphasizes unrestricted consumption of protein and fat elicits a favorable metabolic state, including the dramatic reduction in HbA1c. Moreover, such an intervention, unlike various insulin secretagogues [medications], has the favorable side effect of meaningful body weight and blood pressure reductions.”

Food matters. What you eat can dramatically affect your health. At IHM, we use ketogenic diets therapeutically for many conditions, including diabetes mellitus and cognitive decline. Our providers can help you determine if a ketogenic diet is right for you, and our health coaches have great resources to share to help you apply this diet to regain wellness.