THE COMPLETE
CARNIVORE DIET GUIDE
Learn how to lose weight, fix your gut and cure autoimmune symptoms with our free Carnivore Diet guide.
|
THE COMPLETE
CARNIVORE DIET GUIDE
Learn how to lose weight, fix your gut and cure autoimmune symptoms with our free Carnivore Diet guide.
|
Diabetes affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide. A staggering 1.5 million deaths are directly attributed to it every year. Understandably, diabetics often look for simple and less invasive ways, like dietary changes, to manage the condition. But can you follow the carnivore diet for diabetes? The carnivore diet offers many health benefits. It has proven beneficial for conditions from high blood pressure and celiac disease to thyroid problems and even cardiovascular disease. And if you’re thinking of trying the carnivore diet for diabetes, you may be surprised to learn that you can do so. This short guide explains what you need to know about how the carnivore diet affects people with diabetes, so you can proceed safely and responsibly. An Overview Of Diabetes Before diving into how the carnivore diet affects diabetes, let’s have a closer look at diabetes and its types. What is Diabetes Type 1? Type 1 diabetes, formerly known as juvenile diabetes, is a chronic disease that tends to have a sudden onset early in life. It is believed to be an autoimmune disease, in which insulin-producing cells in the pancreas are destroyed by the body’s immune system. Environmental factors may also play a role, as can a genetic predisposition (family history). In a patient with diabetes type 1, the pancreas makes too little insulin or none at all. The human body needs the hormone insulin to allow glucose to enter cells and produce energy. Type 1 diabetes has no cure, but it can be managed with insulin medications, and a healthy lifestyle and diet. Take note that you should discuss any changes to your diet and lifestyle with your doctor. Also, you must continue to use your diabetes medications as prescribed by your primary healthcare provider. What is Diabetes Type 2? Type 2 diabetes, also known as late-onset diabetes, develops gradually over many years. It is related to lifestyle factors, particularly a sedentary lifestyle and obesity. In diabetes type 2, the pancreas can stop producing enough insulin, or the cells no longer respond to it properly. While type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in childhood, a type 2 diagnosis is most common in adults. But should you try the carnivore diet for diabetes type 2? Technically, there is no cure for type 2 diabetes. However, many people with this condition find that dietary changes help with managing the condition. Because type 2 diabetes can be caused through lifestyle factors and poor dietary choices, it is believed that addressing these factors can help to improve health. Type 2 diabetes, when poorly managed, is as debilitating as type 1. Both result in elevated blood glucose levels and other medical complications. Discuss any changes you are planning to make to your diet or lifestyle with your doctor. Continue taking medications prescribed unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Understanding InsulinDiabetes prevents glucose from doing its job and fueling your cells. It also causes the blood sugar levels to get too high. This is why insulin medications are used, to address these issues. However when a person suffers from diabetes, particularly type 2, a poor diet can contribute to the problem of insulin malfunction. An excess of oil, flour, processed and refined foods, and sugar in excessive amounts can raise the dietary risk. Even a high intake of soft drinks and fried foods can raise the risk of insulin resistance when the body is no longer sensitive to (and therefore not responsive to) insulin secreted by the pancreas. When insulin sensitivity is restored, insulin resistance is resolved. This can improve conditions like Diabetes Type 2. Unlike most modern diets, the carnivore diet is free from these problematic foods linked to insulin resistance, and as such is a healthy diet for those wishing to prevent insulin resistance. Is The Carnivore Diet Good For Diabetes? The carnivore diet has shown promising results in many conditions such as excess weight, allergies and autoimmune disorders. As a low-carb diet, it can help to stabilize conditions triggered by excess carbs. So what are the potential benefits of the carnivore diet for diabetes sufferers? A carnivore diet study of 2,029 participants showed promising results. 100% of particpants came off of their injectable medications! It's clear that some diabetic patients respond favorably to a low-carbohydrate diet, but not necessarily to a carbohydrate-free diet. Carnivore Diet For Type 1 Diabetes How effective is the carnivore diet for diabetes type 1? Certain diabetes organizations recommend that a low-carbohydrate diet can be beneficial for type 1 diabetes. Although lifelong insulin therapy will still be necessary, the condition will be easier to manage with fewer blood sugar spikes than on a high-carb diet. Refined carbs have a high glycaemic index and these carbs are eliminated from the carnivore diet. Switching from high-glycemic index diets to low-glycemic index diets can help to reduce erratic blood sugar levels. Also, there is not as great a need for the body to produce insulin on the carnivore diet, as there would be on a high glycemic load diet. But you don’t have to be a strict carnivore. Consider a form of carnivore closer to other low-carbohydrate diets. Many carnivore fans later transition to an animal-based diet, with 80% of animal products and 20% plant-based. The emphasis is still on meat but with some plant foods (less than 50g carbs a day). Carnivore Diet For Type 2 Diabetes How effective is the carnivore diet for diabetes type 2? Low-carb diets aren’t only helpful for counteracting blood glucose spikes and intrinsic insulin resistance. They can also help to address the problem of obesity, a major factor in developing type 2 diabetes. Because obesity is a major contributor to the development of type 2 diabetes, weight loss can also help people who are at risk for developing diabetes. This means the carnivore diet can help with diabetes prevention. If you have a genetic predisposition to diabetes and are carrying excess weight (which puts you at greater risk), consider the animal-based ketovore diet. Potential Risks Of The Carnivore Diet For Diabetics Regulating blood sugar levels is crucial in managing diabetes. Diabetics worry that eating just meat will cause either elevated blood glucose readings or low blood sugar readings. Are there such risks on the carnivore diet for diabetes? Two of the biggest benefits of the carnivore diet are its ability to shed excess weight and stabilize blood sugar levels. But when you eat lots of protein, it raises blood sugar levels. 1. High Blood Sugar Levels (Hyperglycemia) Carnivore diet foods are animal foods which are high in protein. Carnivore is thus a high-protein diet, especially the strict carnivore diet of only meat and organ meats, and water or bone broth. The spike in blood sugar after meat consumption is not as dramatic as with carbs, but protein-induced blood sugar spikes are possible. Diabetics still need to monitor their blood glucose carefully after large meals. 2. Low Blood Glucose Levels (Hypoglycemia) Very low blood glucose levels can be just as dangerous as very high blood glucose levels. Someone with diabetes, who is taking insulin medications and following a meat-only diet, can sometimes experience low blood glucose levels. Eating a fast-acting carbohydrate such as a tablespoon of honey, or drinking half a cup of fruit juice, will resolve the issue. Tips For Starting The Carnivore Diet For Diabetes If you’re considering the carnivore diet for diabetes, here are some tips for a healthy transition to the meat-only diet.
Final Thoughts The carnivore diet, as a type of low-carb diet, may offer some benefits to people suffering from diabetes. Although low-carb diets have been recommended for diabetics, a total lack of carbs is not always beneficial. A less extreme version of carnivore may be best for diabetics.
Your reaction to the carnivore diet can be influenced by whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and how well you manage your condition. Before trying the carnivore diet for diabetes, consult your primary healthcare practitioner.
1 Comment
leroy funkwhistle
5/19/2024 08:28:50 pm
The aim of a carnivore diet is to achieve ketosis. Therefore, a carnivore diet should include ample fat.
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