Most people have heard of
the keto diet. But, what does being keto really mean? The ketogenic diet is a
high-fat, moderate protein, low carbohydrate diet. By cutting out carbs from
their diet. People are forcing their bodies to undergo ketosis. In ketosis, the
body produces ketone bodies, which are made by burning fatty acids, and uses
them for energy instead of carbs. There are many types of keto diets such as
the standard keto diet, the very-low-carb keto diet, the calorie-restricted the keto diet, and many more. While this method of weight loss seems to work for
many people, you have to wonder, Is it safe?
As with everything, there are many upsides and downsides to this diet.
PROS
· Weight loss
The reason many people are going on this diet that was originally meant to treat
epilepsy is because of observations that people burn fat quickly on this diet.
Many people also noticed feeling less hungry because fatty foods take longer to
digest in the body.
· Cancer
The Warburg Effect establishes that that tumor/cancer cells break down glucose much quicker than normal cells. It is believed that starving the cells of glucose
could slow the spread of tumor cells. However, this theory is still being
investigated and does not have enough evidence currently to be proven true.
· Blood sugar and insulin
The restriction of carbohydrates from a person’s diet could have significant
impacts on their glucose concentrations, and insulin levels. The diet can over
time, lower your glucose concentrations, and reduce insulin levels, lowering
the risk of many health problems.
As with everything, there are many upsides and downsides to this diet.
PROS
The reason many people are going on this diet that was originally meant to treat
epilepsy is because of observations that people burn fat quickly on this diet.
Many people also noticed feeling less hungry because fatty foods take longer to
digest in the body.
· Cancer
The Warburg Effect establishes that that tumor/cancer cells break down glucose much quicker than normal cells. It is believed that starving the cells of glucose
could slow the spread of tumor cells. However, this theory is still being
investigated and does not have enough evidence currently to be proven true.
· Blood sugar and insulin
The restriction of carbohydrates from a person’s diet could have significant
impacts on their glucose concentrations, and insulin levels. The diet can over
time, lower your glucose concentrations, and reduce insulin levels, lowering
the risk of many health problems.
CONS
· Consistency
Most diets only work short-term and are unsustainable for long periods of time. A
diet as restrictive as this one is bound to be hard to keep up. The effects of
following this diet long-term are still being researched.
· Keto Flu
Many people that begin the keto diet report a tough transition time. As your body
acclimates to the keto diet, you may experience a range of symptoms such as
hunger, headaches, nausea, fatigue, irritability, constipation, and brain fog.
These symptoms can leave you feeling very weak and exhausted. The keto flu
usually only lasts for a couple of days, but it can make for a very
uncomfortable transition.
· Deficiencies
Cutting out an entire food group from your diet must be done carefully. If not, you may experience deficiencies from lack of nutrients, vitamins, and fibers commonly found in fruits and other foods that the keto diet cuts out. It is important to include a variety of foods so that you can still get all the nutrients you need.
· Consistency
Most diets only work short-term and are unsustainable for long periods of time. A
diet as restrictive as this one is bound to be hard to keep up. The effects of
following this diet long-term are still being researched.
· Keto Flu
Many people that begin the keto diet report a tough transition time. As your body
acclimates to the keto diet, you may experience a range of symptoms such as
hunger, headaches, nausea, fatigue, irritability, constipation, and brain fog.
These symptoms can leave you feeling very weak and exhausted. The keto flu
usually only lasts for a couple of days, but it can make for a very
uncomfortable transition.
· Deficiencies
Cutting out an entire food group from your diet must be done carefully. If not, you may experience deficiencies from lack of nutrients, vitamins, and fibers commonly found in fruits and other foods that the keto diet cuts out. It is important to include a variety of foods so that you can still get all the nutrients you need.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketogenic_diet
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-is-ketosis
https://www.healthline.com/health/type-2-diabetes/facts-ketones
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/keto/types-of-ketogenic-diet.html
https://promedicahealthconnect.org/wellness/the-pros-and-cons-of-the-keto-diet/
https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/nutrition/pros-and-cons-of-ketogenic-diet
https://crispregional.org/the-pros-and-cons-of-a-keto-diet/
https://www.afpafitness.com/blog/what-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-the-keto-diet
I did try the keto diet and I did loose some weight the first two weeks I have to stop it because of the constant headache and constipation. My doctor did not recommend it either.
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