ES: Ketogenic Diet May Improve Pancreatic Function in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

A small clinical study suggests that a ketogenic diet may improve pancreatic function in people with type 2 diabetes and potentially contribute to the reversibility of the disease. The study was published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society.

Type 2 diabetes develops when the beta cells of the pancreas stop producing enough insulin to control blood sugar levels. In the new study, researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham examined how different dietary patterns affect the condition of these cells.

The experiment involved 51 participants aged 55 to 62. They were divided into two groups: one followed a ketogenic diet high in fat and low in carbohydrates, while the other followed a low-fat diet. Both dietary programs were designed not for weight loss but for weight maintenance.

The main outcome measure was the proinsulin-to-C-peptide ratio—a biomarker reflecting beta-cell stress. The higher this ratio, the greater the strain on the pancreas.

The results showed that participants on the ketogenic diet experienced a significantly greater reduction in this ratio compared to those on the low-fat diet. This indicates reduced stress on beta cells and improved pancreatic function. Importantly, both groups lost only a small amount of weight, meaning the effect was not simply due to weight loss.

The authors note that, currently, improvement in beta-cell function is typically achieved either through significant weight reduction or bariatric surgery. In this context, the ketogenic diet may represent a potential non-invasive approach to targeting the underlying disease mechanism.

Researchers also emphasize that the ketogenic diet alters metabolism: the body shifts to using fats as its primary energy source, leading to a range of biochemical changes that may influence pancreatic function.

However, the scientists caution that the study was small and short-term (only three months), so it is too early to conclude that diabetes can be “cured.” Nevertheless, the findings point to a promising direction for further research and potential therapeutic development.

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