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For years, scientists have been arguing about whether an eat-low-carb lifestyle is healthy. Although there are conflicting studies however, there is evidence that suggests adhering to a ketogenic diet has the potential for health benefits for some individuals.
Continue reading to learn more about the possible advantages of the keto diet.
A ketogenic diet is high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet. While on keto, you must monitor your fat intake in relation to carbohydrate intake, to gain the health and wellness benefits.
The keto diet plans are (Shilpa 2018, 2018):
The Standard Keto Diet (SKD) 70 percent fat 20 percent protein 10 percent carbs
The Cyclical Ketogenic Diet (CKD) This kind of diet goes through five keto days, followed by two days of high carbs.
A ketogenic-targeted diet (TKD) permits more carbs to be consumed prior to or following the intensity of a workout.
HPKD is a high-protein ketogenic diet (HPKD) 60 percent fat, 35% protein and 5% carbohydrates
The consumption of high-fat food is a must when adhering to the keto diet, which includes eggs, meats, olive oil and full-fat dairy. Fruits and vegetables that aren’t starchy are the main carbs permitted when following the keto diet.
The aim of a ketogenic diet is to attain the state of ketosis or ketosis. Ketosis is a kind of metabolism that produces substances known as ketone bodies that substitute glucose for the main fuel source of the central nervous system and brain.
The body’s body enters ketosis if there’s not enough carbohydrates in your diet and glycogen (glucose) stores within your body are diminished. If your carbs are depleted the body shifts to breaking down fats for energy, and then produces ketones.
After a few days of following your ketogenic diet for a few days, you will start to experience ketosis. Test kits for urine and blood can be used to test for ketones and verify the ketosis state.
Certain people get the keto flu in the first two weeks following beginning on the ketogenic diet. It’s not a real illness like flu. It’s more of a set of symptoms that appear to mimic flu. It’s not known why keto flu is seen in certain people, but it might be related to the degree to which the metabolism of a person adjusts to using fat rather than carbs as the primary fuel source.
The keto flu symptoms can be:
Fatigue
Headache
Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and constipation
Chest and fever
Confusion, difficulty concentrating and anger
Sleep problems
Stomach pain
A craving for sugar
Here are a few possible health benefits of ketosis:
One of the main reasons for people to try the keto diet is the claims of weight loss benefits. Multiple studies have shown that ketogenic diets are effective in short-term, quick weight loss, compared to low fat diets. However, a substantial portion of the weight loss could be due to water weight.
What is keto, and is it advisable to adhere to it?
Certain studies suggest that keto-based diets may prove more efficient than the other diet strategies for reducing abdominal fat and promote longer-term weight reduction (Kong 2020). The abdominal fat is also known as visceral fat due to the fact that it covers the organs. This kind of fat has been linked to an increased risk of chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, and the fatty liver (Elffers 2017, 2017).
Lipoproteins with low density (LDL) are considered to be the “bad” cholesterol, and they are more likely trigger plaques and heart diseases. The high-density lipoproteins (HDL) is referred to as”the “good” cholesterol since it reduces the risk of heart disease.
Studies have shown that the keto diet can help lower total cholesterol levels while also increasing HDL levels (Paoli 2014). Therefore, the keto diet could reduce the risk of developing heart disease through a reduction in cholesterol levels.
The connection isn’t as straightforward, but. A few studies indicate LDL levels may increase when adhering to a ketogenic diet (Masood 2021).
It was first developed to control seizures prior to the time that the use of anti-seizure drugs was common. The keto diet is still being used to decrease seizures among people who are unable to control seizures on their own with medications (Masood 2021).
The hormone insulin draws glucose from the foods that we consume in our body’s cells. A steady rise in blood sugar levels could result from an insulin resistance which could lead to the development of type 2 diabetes in the future.
Because high blood glucose levels are the main cause of the condition, many people are turning to low-carb diets as possibility to manage your blood sugar. The keto diet, according to research, could increase the levels of insulin and blood sugar levels in those suffering from Type 2 Diabetes (Shilpa 2018, 2018). If you suffer from diabetes and take medication, it’s essential to talk to your physician about any diet changes you’re considering since your medication might require more careful checked.
A steady rise in blood pressure can increase the chance of developing stroke, heart disease or chronic kidney problems (Fuchs 2019). Studies suggest that keto-based diets can help lower blood pressure and help keep blood pressure levels in a healthy range (Masood 2021).
There are some diseases that could benefit from the keto diet, such as:
The primary goal of this diet keto meal plan was to control seizures, those with epilepsy could benefit from the keto diet. It is best suited to those who have seizures that are not controlled by antiepileptic medication (Masood 2021,).
The prediabetes type and Type 2 diabetes usually are characterized by insulin resistance. The keto diet could increase insulin sensitivity and research suggests that following a keto-friendly meal program can result in more controlled the levels of blood sugar (Masood 2021).
A few studies have shown that keto diets can help decrease levels of diabetes medications required and is possibly effective in reverse the effects of Type 2 Diabetes (Paoli 2014; Shilpa, 2018).
Is keto secure? Is it good for you?
The research into keto is relatively new, and the majority of studies are not more than six months in duration. Thus the long-term health benefits of the keto diet aren’t fully comprehended.
Although some studies are promising, it’s still too late for the keto diet to be recommended widely. The keto diet may result in some undesirable adverse effects for some individuals. It’s an extremely strict diet, and it’s hard to sustain the same diet for long periods of time. If you’re considering taking a look at the keto diet in search of its possible benefits, speak with your physician or dietitian regarding how the diet might affect you.