A recent study revealed that following a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet may help improve some indicators of pancreatic function in patients with type 2 diabetes.
The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the United States, and included 51 adults with type 2 diabetes, aged between 55 and 62. The participants were divided into two groups: one followed a ketogenic diet, and the other followed a low-fat diet, with both diets designed to maintain weight rather than focus on weight loss.
The ketogenic diet relies on drastically reducing carbohydrates, which pushes the body into a metabolic state known as "ketosis," where it begins to use fat as its primary source of energy instead of sugar.
During the study, the researchers measured a blood index known as the proinsulin-to-C peptide ratio, which is used to assess the pancreas's efficiency in producing insulin.
The results, published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society, showed that both groups lost a small amount of weight, but the group that followed the ketogenic diet achieved a greater improvement in this indicator, suggesting a possible reduction in stress on the beta cells responsible for producing insulin in the pancreas.
Lead researcher Marianne Yurchishen said that following a ketogenic diet for three months may be able to improve the function of beta cells in patients with type 2 diabetes, explaining that this improvement was associated with changes in the index used to measure pancreatic pressure.
She added that although there are some treatments that may affect the function of beta cells, such as bariatric surgery or significant weight loss, direct options for improving this function are still limited.
However, experts stressed that the study was small and short-term, and could not be relied upon to prove that diet alone could reverse type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases and is often associated with weight gain, lack of physical activity, diet, and genetic factors.
Conversely, researchers emphasize that a healthy lifestyle, including proper nutrition and exercise, remains a key element in managing the disease, with the need for further studies to assess the long-term impact of the ketogenic diet on pancreatic health and overall patient outcomes.
Other studies have also pointed to some potential concerns associated with this diet. A study from the University of Bath found that following a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet for 12 weeks may be linked to higher cholesterol levels and a decrease in beneficial gut bacteria.
The study explained that this system may help with weight loss, but it may negatively affect some metabolic health indicators in some people, with changes observed in the composition of the gut microbiome, including a decrease in types of bacteria associated with digestive health and immunity.
The study also expressed concern about high blood cholesterol, a factor linked to an increased risk of heart disease.
The researchers ultimately emphasize that the effect of the ketogenic diet varies from person to person, and that its long-term effects are still not scientifically proven.
