What is Ketosis and the Ketogenic (Keto) Diet
The idea behind the keto diet is to change the way your body converts food into energy. When your body does not have carbs going to the cells to burn for energy, it accesses the fat in your body for energy instead.
It is 2019, and there are a number of trending diets floating around. It is becoming increasingly difficult to identify what is actually a real health benefit, and what is just a fad. To do this, we must take a step back and ignore the wave of Instagram influencers, touting the newest trends in health and wellness, and take a look at the science.
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One of the most popular diets is the ketogenic (or keto, for short) diet. But is it really good for you? Let’s take a closer look and try to make an educated decision whether or not keto is a good option for your health needs and goals.
What is the Keto Diet?
The idea behind the keto diet is to change the way our bodies convert food into energy.
Most people believe that energy in the body is derived from carbohydrates, hence why we often hear athletes refer to “carb-loading” before a big workout. Keto claims that by significantly reducing carbs (less than 5-10%), and upping your intake of good healthy fats, your body can reach a state of ketosis, and begin to burn fat for energy.
What is Ketosis?
As noted above, your body goes into ketosis as a direct result of too few carbohydrates from food. When your body does not have carbs going to the cells to burn for energy, it accesses the fat in your body for energy instead.
When your body is in a state of ketosis it produces ketones in the liver, due to a lack of sugar or glucose. The production of ketones is where the name ketosis and keto diet stem from.
What are the Health Benefits?
It is important to remember that every person’s body is different.
There are a large number of health claims and benefits to following a ketogenic diet. Probably too many to list. It is important to remember that every person’s body is different. What worked in one study, may not work for you. Let's take a look at some of the most well studied medical benefits of keto.
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Faster weight loss
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Reduce epileptic seizures
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Clears up acne and improves healthy skin
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Reduction, and extreme cases elimination of cancerous cells
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Improvements in those suffering from Neurodegenerative diseases
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Reduces inflammation in chronic inflammatory diseases
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Improvements in those with autoimmune diseases
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Improvements in cognitive ability for those suffering from the effects of aging and Alzheimer's
What are the Down Sides?
As with anything, there are ups and downs. When considering going on a ketogenic diet, there are a few side effects that you need to take into consideration, as well things to watch out for.
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Decrease in CRP and Homocysteine
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Increase in hormone binding
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Kidney stones if not properly hydrated
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Increase in LDL cholesterol
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Transports of triglycerides and phospholipid particles
Doctors and scientists have been studying the ketogenic diet and the state of ketosis for years. There have been huge success stories, and countless people have been able to cut weight quickly, while improving their health dramatically, preventing a number of common health ailments that come with age. It is important to understand the benefits and the downsides of anything you put in your body. You should always consult a medical professional for more information.
