Low-carbohydrate diets, including ketogenic diet (KETO) are gaining interest as a treatment for type 2 diabetes because they are believed to help manage blood sugar and weight. However, KETO is often high in saturated fats. Compared with a traditional KETO, we want to test the feasibility of substituting healthier fats such as canola oil to improve cardiovascular risk factors.
Canola oil is low in saturated fat. Therefore, utilizing canola oil in a KETO diet may improve its health benefits in people with high risk of / living with type 2 diabetes. The goal of our research is to compare consuming a KETO based on either canola oil or saturated fat to a lower fat diet typically recommended for diabetes for 6 months on blood sugar, factors related to the immune system, and other outcomes.
KETO-IM is an exciting study happening at the University of Alberta. Joining this study is entirely voluntary.
Men or women aged 18-70 years old
Living with overweight or obesity
Living with high sugar levels* or Type 2 Diabetes
*If you don't know about your sugar levels, the Keto-IM study team could test them.
The study will last 6 months and will involve 8-11 visits to the study site over this time.
Participants will be randomized to one of three diets:
Traditional KETO supplemented with butter and coconut oil (Keto-Sat)
KETO diet supplemented with Canola oil (Keto-Can)
Low-fat diet supplemented with whole grain foods (pasta or brown rice) and oatmeal.
You will receive nutrition counselling and key ingredients of your assigned diet (in addition to foods you buy yourself). For 6 months you will follow this specific diet (keto-can, keto-sat, low-fat diet) with the guidance of a nutrition expert from the study team.
During the study you will receive a pedometer you will need to wear to assess your physical activity levels.
Each month, you will pick up the key ingredients and report how much you have consumed.
At 3 months you will visit our research unit to have study visit in which we will collect some samples and information.
At 6 months will be your final visit in which we will collect final samples and information from you
Questionnaires concerning your eating habits.
Blood measurements.
Body measurements (height, weight, circumferences, and body composition).
Ketone assessments using finger prick method.
Blood pressure.
Stool samples (optional).
We are located at the Human Nutrition Research Unit on the 2nd floor of Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Innovation.
2-004 8602 112 Street, University of Alberta. Edmonton, AB,T6G 2E1
As a token of appreciation for your time you will receive a gift card at 3 months and another gift card at 6 months (upon completion of the study).
We will cover costs for public transportation or parking of all your visits.
This study has been reviewed for its adherence to ethical guidelines by a Research Ethics Board at the University of Alberta (Pro00123687).
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05681468
Funding: Results Driven Agriculture Research and Alberta Canola
If you are interested in participating or have additional questions, please contact us.
Phone: (780) 492-9506
email: keto.im@ualberta.ca
The University of Alberta, its buildings, labs, and research stations are primarily located on the traditional territory of Cree, Blackfoot, Métis, Nakota Sioux, Iroquois, Dene, and Ojibway/Saulteaux/Anishinaabe nations; lands that are now known as part of Treaties 6, 7, and 8 and homeland of the Métis. The University of Alberta respects the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems, and cultures of First Nations, Métis and Inuit nations.