Advanced Keto Course: Content & Structure

Advanced Course content

Section 1: Metabolism and Biochemistry.

These modules provide the background science to the practice. They are pitched at a professional level and cover the knowledge needed to feel confident in providing information on ketogenic diets in Type 1 diabetes. Each module, including the podcasts and assessments, takes around an hour to complete on average

Macronutrient metabolism (approximate time to complete 1 hour)

2) Metabolism and Metabolic Pathways. Glycolysis, Oxidative phosphorylation (approximate time to complete 1 hour)

3) Type 1 Diabetes. Insulin and Glucagon metabolism and regulation (approximate time to complete 45 minutes)

4) Regulation of Type 1 Diabetes Peripheral and Portal Insulin. Neuroendocrine Pathways (approximate time to complete 1 hour)

5) Nutritional Ketosis and Diabetic Ketoacidosis. Why these are entirely different situations. (approximate time to complete 45 minutes)

6) Cholesterol (approximate time to complete 30 minutes )

7) Controversies in Type 1 diabetes with respect to a Ketogenic Lifestyle. Glucose as a fuel. Cholesterol (approximate time to complete 30 minutes)

Section 2: Practical Modules.

These modules contain testimonials and podcasts from people with Type 1 diabetes to add a patient perspective to managing Type 1. Practical examples in this series of modules challenge the student to make decisions as if they themselves had Type 1 diabetes.

Ketogenic diets; what they can and cannot do. Terminology.

2) Synthetic Insulin. Types of synthetic insulin and their pharmacodynamics (approximate time to complete 45 minutes)

3) What to Eat. Covers recipes and links to well-established resources on keto diets. Includes practical examples of choosing food from a menu when eating out. (approximate time to complete 1 hour)

4) How to count carbohydrates and protein and then estimate the insulin dose. Practical (approximate time to complete 1 hour)

5) Transitioning to a Ketogenic Diet; the technique. An important practical module on how it’s done.(approximate time to complete 1 hour)

6) Advanced Complications. Transitioning to a Ketogenic Diet for someone with diabetes complications; hypertension, calculi, renal disease, retinopathy, neuropathy, and contraindications for ketogenic diets.(approximate time to complete 1 hour)

7) Intermittent Fasting. Autophagy. (approximate time to complete 30 minutes)

8) What to Measure in Type 1 diabetes. A guide to monitoring through different stages of the condition (approximate time to complete 1 hour)

9) Examples of Continuous Glucose Meters from daily life to give context to management. (approximate time to complete 1 hour)

Section 3: Holistic Care.

This series of modules covers social and other aspects of care that affect people with Type 1 diabetes.

Causes of Type 1 diabetes. Genetics, antibodies, geography, environment, microbiome. (approximate time to complete 1 hour)
Physical Activity. How to approach managing physical activity, with a workbook example comparing a high carbohydrate and low carbohydrate lifestyle (approximate time to complete 2 hours)
Mental Health. Stress, depression, eating disorders, and food addiction.(approximate time to complete 1 hour)
Driving and Type 1 diabetes. UK-based information on the rules and regulations plus how Type 1 affects driving performance.(approximate time to complete 1 hour)
Navigating an annual review. A guide for people with Type 1 who adopt a keto lifestyle. This is a guide produced following a survey of patients and their experiences. (10 minutes)

There is a certificate available to download on completion of the courses.

Zoom sessions can be arranged for those who need mentoring and more informal information.

Course structure

1) Text-based content in three sections; practical management, metabolism and holistic aspects of care.
2) An assessment for each module builds your CPD hours.
3) Podcasts with people who have transitioned to a ketogenic lifestyle.
4) Practical examples of diets used by Type 1 practitioners of a ketogenic lifestyle
5) Testimonials of how Type 1 diabetes affects people
6) Scenario-based practical learning to help clinicians understand the practical aspects of managing Type 1 diabetes daily
7) Online revision sessions are available on Zoom for those who prefer to supplement their knowledge using a video format.

Both courses are orientated toward healthcare professionals. They will also appeal to patients who are looking to become experts themselves. A parallel course can be accessed for free by people with Type 1 diabetes who seek less specialist information. You can find this on this website under ‘Diabetes Management ‘.

There is more emphasis on insulin delivery with pens compared to pumps, largely because pens are still used by the overwhelming percentage of people with Type 1. Pump calculations are also mentioned throughout. The same calculations will apply to both pumps and pens in the practical exercises. Five out of 6 people currently use pens, so the clinician must be knowledgeable about pen use.

By the end of the courses, the clinician should feel confident in understanding Type 1 diabetes management with a ketogenic diet.

Audit

There will be an opportunity to provide data for audit and development purposes. It will contribute to the evidence base on ketogenic diets in Type1 diabetes and facilitate the adoption of this type of diabetes management in mainstream clinical practice.

When you sign on to the course, you will have a personalised learning platform to enable you to work through the material at your own pace. There is no time limit. After completion of the module assessments, a certificate is issued. You can retake the assessment if you would like to increase your score. But it is more important to feel confident that you can manage someone with Type 1 diabetes who has chosen a keto lifestyle than worry about the assessment score.

I hope that you enjoy the course. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Dr Ian Lake

Course Lead