Ketogenic diet and type 1 diabetes
One of the two biggest nutrition myths is that type 1 diabetics absolutely need to consume, even cakes, skittles, and candy as long as they count their carbs and apply the corresponding amount of insulin.
The thing is the more insulin one applies, the higher the risks of chronic complications, such as stroke, nerve damage and kidney disease. In recent years, new research has shown that type 1 diabetics may encounter freedom from the endless carb counting and better health adopting a ketogenic diet.
I recently met nutritionist Yvonne Reuter in Switzerland, a type 1 diabetic who has been following a ketogenic diet for a number of years. In the following interview, she tells of her experience and why she also recommends a ketogenic diet for other type 1 diabetics:
How to monitor ketones?
Ketones are a type of chemical that your liver produces when it breaks down fats. Your body uses ketones for energy typically during fasting, long periods of exercise, or when you don’t have as many carbohydrates.
You can check blood or urine for ketones, but the results might be different. Checking blood for ketones is more precise and will give you real-time results, just like when you check your blood sugar. A urine check will tell you what your ketone levels were a few hours ago.
There are a number of ketone monitors. You’ll prick your finger using a lancing device, get the blood on to the test strip in your monitor and wait for the result.
- BRAZIL — Freestyle Optium Neo
- EUA — KetoMojo
- EUROPA — KetoMojo e GoKeto
Studies on ketogenic diet for adults living with type 1 diabetes
- https://doi.org/10.1111/dme.13663
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34334612
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.3949/ccjm.88a.20121
