The ketogenic diet has gained immense popularity in recent years due to its potential to aid weight loss and improve health outcomes. However, one common side effect that has been reported by some individuals following a ketogenic diet is physiological insulin resistance.
What is Physiological Insulin Resistance?
Insulin resistance is a condition where the cells in your body become resistant to the effects of insulin, leading to a decrease in glucose uptake by the cells and an increase in blood glucose levels. This can lead to a range of health problems, including diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease.
Physiological insulin resistance is a temporary form of insulin resistance that occurs when following a low-carbohydrate diet, such as the ketogenic diet.
The term “physiological” implies that it is a normal response of the body to a change in dietary intake and is not a pathological condition.
When you eat carbohydrates, your body breaks them down into glucose, which is used by your cells as a source of energy. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps transport glucose from your bloodstream into your cells.
However, when you consume a low-carbohydrate diet, your body produces less insulin because there is less glucose to transport. This reduction in insulin production leads to a decrease in insulin sensitivity, which means that your cells become less responsive to insulin.
This decrease in insulin sensitivity is what causes physiological insulin resistance. It is a normal response of the body to a low-carbohydrate diet and is not a cause for concern. In fact, it is a sign that your body is adapting to the changes in your diet.
How is Physiological Insulin Resistance Related to a Ketogenic Diet?
The ketogenic diet is a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet that is designed to put your body into a state of ketosis. In this state, your body burns fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates, which can lead to weight loss and other health benefits.
However, to enter into ketosis, you need to drastically reduce your carbohydrate intake to less than 50 grams per day. This low-carbohydrate intake leads to a decrease in insulin production and an increase in insulin resistance.
As a result, some people who follow a ketogenic diet may experience physiological insulin resistance, where their cells become less responsive to insulin. This is a normal response to a low-carbohydrate diet and is not a cause for concern.
Why is Physiological Insulin Resistance Good for You?
While insulin resistance is generally considered a negative health outcome, physiological insulin resistance may actually be beneficial for you in certain situations.
When your cells become less responsive to insulin, they are less likely to store glucose as fat. This means that your body is more likely to burn fat for fuel instead of storing it, which can aid weight loss and improve body composition.
Insulin is a hormone that regulates hunger and satiety. When you eat carbohydrates, your body produces insulin, which can lead to feelings of hunger soon after. However, when you follow a low-carbohydrate diet and experience physiological insulin resistance, your body produces less insulin, which can lead to reduced feelings of hunger.
Physiological insulin resistance can actually improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes. This is because when your cells become less responsive to insulin, your body produces less insulin overall, which can help stabilize blood sugar levels.
While physiological insulin resistance may lead to a temporary decrease in insulin sensitivity, it can actually improve insulin sensitivity in the long term. This is because the