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Case report: Ketogenic diet alleviated anxiety and depression associated with insulin-dependent diabetes management.

Frontiers in nutrition
May 5, 2024
Eirin Winje et al. (3 authors)
Case ReportsJournal ArticleHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and psychological benefits of a ketogenic diet (KD) in a patient with type 1 diabetes experiencing severe distress and unpredictable hypoglycemia.

Results Summary

The KD, combined with an insulin pump, significantly improved glucose control (time in optimal range increased from 8% to 51%) and reduced HbA1c by 2.2%, alleviating psychological stress and improving mental health. Concerns about ketoacidosis and cardiovascular risks were evaluated against empirical evidence, suggesting potential protective effects.

Population

A 39-year-old woman with autoimmune-positive insulin-dependent diabetes and severe diabetes distress.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

2 months

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (11)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
ketogenic diet (KD)
decrease
glucose values
39-year-old woman with autoimmune-positive insulin-dependent diabetes
from around 20 mmol/L to 12 mmol/L (360 mg/dL to 216 mg/dL)
decreased
#1
ketogenic diet (KD) combined with an insulin pump
increase
time in optimal glucose range
39-year-old woman with autoimmune-positive insulin-dependent diabetes
from 8 to 51%
increased
#2
ketogenic diet (KD) combined with an insulin pump
decrease
HbA1c
39-year-old woman with autoimmune-positive insulin-dependent diabetes
25 mmol/mol (2.2%)
reducing
#3
ketogenic diet (KD) combined with an insulin pump
decrease
biological and psychological stress
39-year-old woman with autoimmune-positive insulin-dependent diabetes
-
reduced
#4
ketogenic diet (KD) combined with an insulin pump
increase
mental health
39-year-old woman with autoimmune-positive insulin-dependent diabetes
-
immediately improving
#5
ketogenic diet (KD)
increase
ketoacidosis
patients with comorbid type 1 diabetes
-
assumed increased risk
#6
ketogenic diet (KD)
decrease
glycogen stores
patients with comorbid type 1 diabetes
-
theoretical depletion
#7
saturated fat
increase
cardiovascular risk factors
patients with comorbid type 1 diabetes
-
potential adverse effect
#8
ketogenic diet (KD)
decrease
acidosis
-
-
may protect against
#9
ketogenic diet (KD)
decrease
hypoglycemia
-
-
may protect against
#10
ketogenic diet (KD)
decrease
cardiovascular risk
-
-
may protect against
#11
Abstract

Differentiating between an irrational versus a rational fear of hypoglycemia has treatment implications and presents significant challenge for clinicians facing patients with type 1 diabetes, illustrated in this case. A 39-year-old woman with autoimmune-positive insulin-dependent diabetes sought help to alleviate severe diabetes distress, and symptoms of depression and anxiety, associated with unpredictable drastic blood glucose drops. After exhausting conventional methods, she adopted a ketogenic diet (KD). Her glucose values decreased from around 20 mmol/L to 12 mmol/L (360 mg/dL to 216 mg/dL) in the first days. Then, by combining a KD with an insulin pump, her time in optimal glucose range increased from 8 to 51% after 2 months, reducing her HbA1c with 25 mmol/mol (2.2%). This reduced biological and psychological stress, immediately improving her mental health and renewing her hope for the future. The main concerns regarding KD in patients with comorbid type 1 diabetes is the assumed increased risk of ketoacidosis, theoretical depletion of glycogen stores, and a potential adverse effect of saturated fat on cardiovascular risk factors. These concerns are evaluated against existing empirical evidence, suggesting instead that a KD may protect against acidosis, hypoglycemia, and cardiovascular risk. The present case, together with available data, indicate that patients with type 1 diabetes experiencing high levels of biological and psychological stress should be informed of the expected benefits and possible risks associated with a KD, to ensure their right to take informed decisions regarding their diabetes management.

Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety75
Efficacy85/10
Quality60/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations1
Citations/Year1.0
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.25
Weight Score2.20
Normalized Score0.76
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