Khaberni - A recent study revealed that adopting a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet, known as "keto," may carry potential benefits for type 2 diabetes patients by improving the efficiency of the pancreas and reducing the pressure on the cells responsible for producing insulin, according to a report published by Daily Mail.
This diet relies on putting the body into a state known as ketosis, where it starts burning fat instead of carbohydrates as the primary source of energy, thus changing the way the body deals with sugar.
What did the study reveal?
The research, conducted by a team from the University of Alabama in Birmingham, USA, involved 51 adults with type 2 diabetes, aged between 55 and 62 years old. Participants were divided into two groups, the first followed the "keto" diet, and the second adopted a low-fat diet, and over three months, researchers monitored an important index reflecting the extent of strain on the pancreas in producing insulin.
The result was that the group who followed the keto diet showed greater improvement in this index, indicating a reduction in pressure on the "beta" cells responsible for secreting insulin.
Despite these encouraging results, the researchers emphasized that the study is limited in terms of number and duration and does not mean that diet alone is capable of reversing the disease or curing it.
They also pointed out that improving pancreatic functions is usually difficult without significant interventions such as notable weight loss or surgical procedures, making these results particularly noteworthy.
Conversely, other studies have warned about some potential effects of the keto diet, showing research from the University of Bath, that long-term adherence to this regimen may lead to:
Increased cholesterol levels
Decline of some beneficial gut bacteria
Potential impacts on heart health
Experts note that diet remains a fundamental element in managing diabetes, but there is no one-size-fits-all solution. While the keto diet appears promising in some respects, its adoption should be approached with caution and under medical supervision, especially with the need for more studies to understand its long-term effects.
