For adults with type 1 diabetes, eating a diet where 40% of calories come from carbohydrates does not lead to higher levels of ketones in the blood compared to eating a diet where 60% of calories...
Mechanism
Synthesis from 1 study
Eating fewer carbs makes the body burn more fat, releasing fatty acids into the blood. But because people with type 1 diabetes take insulin, that insulin stops the liver from turning those fatty acids into ketones. So even though more fat is being used, ketones don’t build up.
Most probable mechanism
When someone with type 1 diabetes eats less carbohydrate, their body breaks down more fat for energy, releasing fatty acids into the blood. But because they take insulin shots, that insulin stops the liver from turning those fatty acids into ketones, so ketone levels stay low even though fat burning goes up.
Reduced dietary carbohydrate intake lowers postprandial glucose excursions and decreases insulin demand
Lower insulin levels reduce suppression of hormone-sensitive lipase in adipose tissue, increasing lipolysis and release of free fatty acids into circulation
Elevated free fatty acids are transported to the liver, but exogenous insulin suppresses hepatic ketogenesis by inhibiting carnitine palmitoyltransferase I and promoting re-esterification of fatty acids
Insulin-mediated suppression of ketone production prevents accumulation of beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate in the bloodstream
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
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Effects of Dietary Carbohydrate Concentration and Glycemic Index on Blood Glucose Variability and Free Fatty Acids in Individuals with Type 1 Diabetes
Contradicting (0)
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