How A Keto Diet Can Help With Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic health condition which, according to diabetes.co.uk, “is characterised by the blood being unable to metabolise glucose (a simple sugar). This leads to high levels of blood glucose which over time can damage the organs of the body.”

It accounts for around 90% of global diabetes cases. Many people living with type 2 diabetes are able to manage the condition and their blood glucose levels without the need for diabetic medication by making some dietary adjustments, such as avoiding dietary sugar.

Many type 2 diabetics are even able to completely reverse their condition through a combination of low-carb diets and exercise!

In recent years there has been growing evidence that suggests a ketogenic diet (also known as a keto diet) could play a beneficial role in controlling blood sugar levels and could also improve insulin sensitivity, both of which help in managing diabetes.

HOW DOES A KETOGENIC DIET HELP MANAGE TYPE 2 DIABETES?

LOWERS BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS

As many people familiar with Pulsin products, especially our Keto Range, may know, the keto diet is a high fat diet in which you consume a very low amount of carbohydrates.

Typical macronutrient ratios for keto diets range from 70-75% fat, 20-25% protein, and as little as 5-10% carbs. This ratio of carbohydrates equates to around 20 to 50 grams each day. For comparison, the RI (Reference Intake) of carbohydrates for the average Brit is between 230g for women and 300g for men. So, this is a significant reduction in carbohydrate intake.

The purpose of reducing your carbs and raising the amount of fat you eat is to put your body into a state of ketosis, which has the effect of causing your body to use fat (ketones) as its main source of energy rather than the sugar produced by carbohydrates.

Reducing the amount of carbohydrates type 2 diabetics consume is often recommended, along with trying to lose weight, as a form of blood sugar control. The less carbohydrates that you consume the lower the risk of your blood sugar spiking and the greater blood sugar control you have because your blood sugar levels are naturally lower.

IMPROVES INSULIN SENSITIVITY

Insulin resistance is a typical symptom of type 2 diabetes, which means the body does not respond to the effects of insulin as it should under normal circumstances. Since Insulin helps the cells in the body use glucose as energy, insulin resistance leads to higher blood sugar levels. 

Studies have shown that by following a keto diet, people with type 2 diabetes reportedly showed a significant improvement to their insulin sensitivity and during a study of obese type 2 diabetics, insulin resistance was reduced by 75%!

HELPS WITH WEIGHT LOSS

According to diabetes.co.uk, obesity accounts for around 80-85% of the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is also 80 times more likely to develop in obese people than someone with a BMI of less than 22.

Studies have shown that low-calorie ketogenic diets are more effective in promoting weight loss and improving glycemic control than standard low-calorie diets, according to the National Library of Medicine.

REDUCE MEDICATION RELIANCE

A lot of people with type 2 diabetes require regular medication to help manage their blood sugar levels. Studies on the effects of a keto diet on type 2 diabetes have shown that the keto diet may reduce the need for regular medication due to the improvement in insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control. 

Over 95% of type 2 diabetics that followed a ketogenic diet in one study were able to reduce their diabetic meds or eliminate the need for medication altogether!

PULSIN KETO RANGE

One of the key things to remember about a ketogenic diet is that, while it is a high-fat diet, it is important to eat healthy fats like those found in foods prioritised in a mediterranean diet such as the healthy fats found in olive oil, fatty fishes, nuts, and seeds.

Pulsin Keto Bars are made from plant based, natural ingredients high in healthy fats.

Why not try our Keto Bundle? A great introduction to our Keto range and a great addition to a keto diet.

Here’s what one of our amazing customers had to say about our Keto Bars!

“I love these Pulsin Keto bars as they are the best tasting ones I have come across. They taste like a full flavoured very chocolatey snack bar and you would not believe that they are low carb and high protein. They are easy to carry around with you and I often use a bite or two as a decadent tasting desert.

Other pros as well as being keto 

1) there are no nasty sweeteners like Maltitol which spikes my blood sugar, let alone aspartame which I won’t go near. 

2) The sweetener used is natural xylitol and there is nothing artificial in the ingredients at all. 3)They are Vegan, dairy and gluten free with no animal collagen that I have found in other bars. 4)  The MCT oil is a definite plus to keep you feeling fuller.

The cons ? There aren’t any.

My very favourite flavour is the chocolate fudge but the mint and orange flavours are also very nice.

I have been a Type 2 diabetic (inherited/genetic) for over 20 years and these luxury bars help me with a keto diet which means I have been able to keep my HbA1c in pre-diabetic numbers to everyone’s astonishment!!”

Rochelle Marsden MSc RSHom MNWCH

WIN ONE OF TEN PACKS OF PULSIN KETO BARS

You can get your hands on a pack of Pulsin Keto Bars in our latest competition!

And it’s so easy to enter! All you need to do is pop your details in the form below, and you’re in the draw! Our competition ends on 31st May and a winner will be drawn at random.