Keto diet is a health fad that refuses to die. It is a high-fat and low-carb diet which relies on breaking down fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. High on fat, moderate protein and near-zero carbs, it is known to achieve wonders when it comes to weight loss. So, you’ll have to say goodbye to things like bread, sugar and rice.
But as per a latest study published in the Journal of Physiology, the keto diet may up the risk of type 2 diabetes.
The study involved the researchers feeding two variety of diets to mice - a keto diet and a high fat diet. Standard metabolic processes were then performed on the mice. The high fat diet usually causes insulin-resistance in the body.
The researchers studied the insulin reaction in the mice by using special methods which assisted them in determining the effects of sugar production from the liver and its consumption by the tissues.
Christian Wolfrum, one of the authors of the study, said:
Diabetes is one of the biggest health issues we face. Although ketogenic diets are known to be healthy, our findings indicate that there may be an increased risk of insulin resistance with this type of diet that may lead to type 2 diabetes.Christian Wolfrum
Though the researchers also stated that more research was needed to understand the reason behind this reaction and to know whether it was a physiological adjustment.
The study was conducted by ETH Zurich in sync with University Children's Hospital in Zurich.
Diabetes is a disease where the blood sugar runs too high, usually due to inadequate insulin. It can cause terrible long-term complications if it is not treated properly. The most common serious complications are blindness (“retinopathy”), kidney failure requiring dependence on a dialysis machine to stay alive (“nephropathy”), and foot and leg amputations.
Doctors say that type 2 diabetes calls for a major overhaul of lifestyle with strict dietary changes and physical exercise.
Diabetics don’t need to eat special meals - a wholesome diet rich in fibers, low in saturated and trans fats based on lean meat, non-starchy vegetables is nutritious for the full family.
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