Khaberni - A recent study has revealed that following a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet may help improve some pancreatic function indicators in type 2 diabetes patients.
The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the United States, involving 51 adults with type 2 diabetes, aged between 55 and 62 years. The participants were divided into two groups: the first followed a ketogenic diet, and the second followed a low-fat diet, with both designs intended to maintain weight without focusing on losing it.
The ketogenic diet relies on significantly reducing carbohydrates, which leads the body into a metabolic state known as "ketosis," where it starts using fats as the main energy source instead of sugar.
During the study, the researchers measured a blood marker known as the proinsulin to C-peptide ratio, which is used to assess the efficiency of the pancreas in producing insulin.
The results, published in the Endocrine Society's journal, showed that both groups lost a slight amount of weight, but the group that followed the ketogenic diet achieved greater improvements in this indicator, suggesting a potential reduction in stress on beta cells responsible for insulin production in the pancreas.
The lead researcher Marian Yurchichin stated that following a ketogenic diet for three months might be able to improve beta cell function in type 2 diabetes patients, explaining that this improvement was linked to changes in the indicator used to measure pancreatic stress.
She added that while there are some treatments that may affect beta cell function, such as bariatric surgery or significant weight loss, direct options to improve this function are still limited.
However, experts emphasize that the study is small and short-term, and cannot be relied upon to prove that diet alone is capable of reversing type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases, often associated with increased weight, lack of physical activity, diet, and genetic factors.
In contrast, researchers affirm that a healthy lifestyle, including proper nutrition and exercise, remains a fundamental element in managing the disease, with the need for more studies to evaluate 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 ketogenic low-carbohydrate diet for 12 weeks may be associated with increased cholesterol levels and reduced beneficial gut bacteria.
The study explained that while this diet might assist in weight loss, it could negatively affect some metabolic health indicators for certain individuals, noting changes in the gut microbiome composition, including a reduction in types of bacteria linked to digestive and immune health.
The study also expressed concerns about an increase in blood cholesterol, a factor associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
Ultimately, researchers confirm that the impact of the ketogenic diet varies from person to person, and its long-term effects are still not conclusively determined scientifically.
