A small peer-reviewed study published in the latest Journal of the Endocrine Society found that a ketogenic diet may help improve beta-cell function in people with type 2 diabetes, potentially aiding diabetes reversal.
Key findings
- Study design: 51 adults with type 2 diabetes, ages 55-62, 71% female, were assigned to either a ketogenic diet or a low-fat diet for 3 months. Both diets were designed to be weight-maintaining.
- What improved: The ketogenic diet group showed greater improvement in beta-cell function compared to the low-fat group. Beta cells in the pancreas secrete insulin to control blood sugar, and they often underperform in type 2 diabetes.
- How it was measured: Researchers tracked the proinsulin-to-C-peptide ratio, a biomarker of beta-cell stress. This ratio decreased more in the keto group, indicating reduced stress on the pancreas and better insulin secretion ability.
- Weight loss: Both groups lost a modest amount of weight on average, but the keto diet’s benefits to beta-cell function occurred independently of substantial weight loss.
Why it matters
- Current gap: According to lead author Marian Yurchishin, M.S., of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, “Other than bariatric surgery or large-volume intentional weight loss, interventions for improving beta-cell function in type 2 diabetes do not currently exist.”
- Mechanism: A ketogenic diet is high-fat, low-carb and shifts metabolism to burn fat instead of storing it. The authors suggest this reduces stress on the pancreas and improves beta-cells’ ability to secrete insulin.
Study details
- Authors: Marian Yurchishin, Amanda Finn, Lauren Fowler, and Barbara Gower of UAB; Sara Vere-Whiting of University of Glasgow.
- Funding: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, UAB Nutrition Obesity Research Center, UAB Diabetes Research Center, and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
- Context: The study was small and focused on patients with early type 2 diabetes. More research would be needed to confirm long-term effects and applicability to broader populations.