Case report: Ketogenic diet alleviated anxiety and depression associated with insulin-dependent diabetes management.
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
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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.