Low-carbohydrate ketogenic eating for people with type 1 diabetes
EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF A KETOGENIC DIET IN TYPE 1 DIABETES
A very-low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet is being tried in adults with type 1 diabetes to improve blood sugar control and lower insulin needs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11323149 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This two-site randomized trial will enroll adults with type 1 diabetes at Washington University in St. Louis and Sansum Diabetes Research to follow a very-low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet (≤50 g carbs/day) or continue usual care. Participants will be followed for several months with regular clinic visits, continuous or frequent glucose monitoring, and collection of insulin dose, HbA1c, lipid panels, and safety labs. The study will record episodes of low blood sugar, markers related to diabetic ketoacidosis risk, bone health, and quality of life. Investigators will compare outcomes between the ketogenic diet group and the control group to see whether the diet lowers insulin requirements and improves glucose stability while tracking side effects.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with established type 1 diabetes who use insulin and are willing to try a very-low-carbohydrate diet under close medical supervision.
Not a fit: People with recent diabetic ketoacidosis, frequent severe hypoglycemia, active eating disorders, pregnancy, or who cannot closely monitor glucose are unlikely to benefit and may be excluded.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the diet could lower blood sugars, reduce total daily insulin doses, and decrease diabetes-related risks for adults with type 1 diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Small case series and observational studies have reported improved glycemic measures with ketogenic diets in type 1 diabetes, but no randomized trial longer than seven days has been completed.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Klein, Samuel — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Klein, Samuel
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.