A medical professional has revealed that adhering to a specific diet could not only boost health but might also eliminate the need for certain medications. In a discussion with Steven Bartlett on his Diary Of A CEO podcast, insulin and glucose specialist Dr Benjamin Bikman advocated for the keto diet, particularly for individuals who have or are susceptible to type 2 diabetes.
Dr Bikman is a metabolic scientist and Professor of Cell Biology and Physiology. He hosts The Metabolic Classroom podcast and has penned 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 boasts numerous health benefits, including aiding weight loss, improving cholesterol levels, and reducing blood sugar. By limiting carbohydrate consumption, it prompts the body to utilise fat for energy, which can result in weight loss.
The keto diet can also enhance cholesterol control, help maintain steady blood sugar levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and curb hunger. It may also be useful in managing epilepsy, metabolic syndrome, and certain types of cancer.
The keto diet, while potentially beneficial, is known for its challenges and side effects such as constipation and ‘keto breath’. Some healthcare professionals hesitate to recommend it due to concerns over its long-term sustainability, reports Surrey Live.
It’s crucial to consult with your GP before embarking on significant dietary or lifestyle changes.
In conversation with BBC Dragons’ Den’s Steven Bartlett, Dr Bikman highlighted the advantages of a keto diet for individuals managing blood sugar levels or those with prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes. He suggests that adherence to the diet could lead to a reduced need for diabetes medication, stating: “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.”
Common diabetes medications include metformin, sulfonylureas, and GLP-1 agonists, among others like DPP-4 inhibitors, TZDs, Alpha glucosidase inhibitors, and Prandial glucose regulators. An Indiana University study found a significant reduction in medication use among keto diet participants, with about 60% of insulin users discontinuing its use completely.
Medication usage significantly decreased among those following the keto diet, in stark contrast to the control group where it either remained constant or increased. Remarkably, 47% of individuals on the keto diet achieved remission or reversal after one year, and 38% after two years.
In comparison, only 7-10% of people in the control group reached this milestone within the same timeframe.
So, what exactly is the keto diet?
The ketogenic diet, more commonly referred to as the keto diet, is a low-carb eating plan that prioritises calories from fats and proteins over carbohydrates. The primary goal is to prompt the body to burn stored fat for energy rather than relying on sugar.
The ketogenic diet has often been lauded for its positive effects on metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and overall health. Essentially, the keto diet drastically cuts carbohydrate intake while boosting fat consumption, causing the body’s main energy source to shift from glucose to fat.
This metabolic state, known as ketosis, can have significant impacts on weight management and metabolic health.
One of the key benefits of the keto diet is its ability to lower insulin levels. When carbohydrate intake is reduced, less insulin is required to regulate blood sugar levels.
High insulin levels are associated with insulin resistance, a condition linked to various chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular conditions.
The ketogenic diet, or keto diet, can enhance insulin sensitivity and lower the risk of related diseases by promoting reduced insulin levels. The state of ketosis produces ketones, an alternative energy source that both the brain and body can use.
Ketones are not only efficient fuel but also have neuroprotective properties, potentially benefiting brain health. Some research suggests that ketones may boost cognitive function and could even play a part in managing neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, often dubbed ‘type 3 diabetes’ due to its link with insulin resistance in the brain.
The diet might also aid weight loss by increasing fat oxidation and boosting metabolic rate. Studies suggest that those on a keto diet may burn fat more effectively.
The heightened metabolic rate linked with ketosis means the body becomes more adept at burning calories, even when resting.
Another key factor is the satisfying effect of fats and proteins. Many people report feeling less hungry and experiencing fewer cravings when following a keto diet, which can result in a lower overall calorie intake without the need for strict calorie counting.
This is particularly beneficial for long-term weight management.
So, how does a keto diet improve blood sugar?
Adopting a ketogenic diet could lead to significant health improvements for some, potentially reducing or even eliminating the need for certain medications, especially in cases of type 2 diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. The keto diet, which emphasises high-fat, low-carb intake, can enhance insulin sensitivity and decrease insulin levels.
This metabolic shift helps control blood glucose levels and can result in weight loss, both vital for managing diabetes. For those with type 2 diabetes, cutting down on carbs through a keto diet can help stabilise blood sugar levels, leading to a reduction in the need for medications like insulin or oral hypoglycemia.
Research indicates that some individuals can achieve normal blood glucose levels on a keto diet, allowing them to reduce or stop their diabetes medications under medical supervision. Dr Bikman also suggested that the keto diet might be beneficial for those suffering from migraines and epilepsy.
However, it’s crucial to tread carefully when considering a keto diet. Not everyone will experience the same results, and any decision to reduce or stop medication should only be made in consultation with a healthcare provider.
This is particularly important as sudden dietary changes can impact medication dosages, especially for those on insulin or other blood sugar-lowering drugs.
The ketogenic diet, popularly known as the keto diet, has been found to have potential benefits for various health conditions. For example, some epilepsy sufferers have successfully used it as a therapeutic method to decrease the frequency of seizures, sometimes even reducing their medication dosage.
However, it’s important to note that the keto diet isn’t a universal solution. Individual reactions can differ based on factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and overall health conditions.
For some, medication may still be necessary, particularly if they have multiple health issues or if the diet alone doesn’t yield the desired health results.
In conclusion, while a ketogenic diet may reduce or eliminate the need for certain medications for some individuals, particularly those with type 2 diabetes or obesity, it is vital to work closely with healthcare professionals to monitor health and adjust treatment plans as required.
So, what does Diabetes UK have to say about this?
According to a statement on their website: “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.”