Ketogenic diet
- Dietitian.Lauren Hmede
- Jan 17, 2019
- 3 min read
What Is It?
Ketogenic diet or low carbs diet is based on low intake of carbs, moderate protein and high fat. You will cut back mainly on simple sugar from sodas, pasta and pastries.
How It Works
Ketosis and ketones bodies’ production when your carbs intake is less than 50 grams daily than your body uses sugar stores for 3-4 days for fuel and then protein and fat. You will eventually lose weight.
Who Uses It?
People who aim to lose weight, having epilepsy, heart disease and acne. Don’t try it without asking your doctor.
Weight Loss
The weight loss resulting from ketogenic diet is based on the process that your body use ore calories to use energy from fat than carbs. You will see faster results within 3-6 months than other types of diet. In addition high protein and fat meals are more satisfying than high carbs meal in another word you will eat less.
Cancer
Insulin is the hormone needed for storing and using sugar when you are on ketogenic diet you will use food for fuel rather than store and as a result less insulin is needed and your body will be protected from certain types of cancer but more research is needed.
Heart Disease
Ketogenic diet raise HDL and lowers LDL even this is stranger but it is true as your body make less insulin and as a result less cholesterol. Lower blood pressure, less hardened vessels and strokes have been shown with ketogenic diet.
Acne
Carbohydrates intake have been linked with acne. Ketogenic diet lowers insulin which is related to acne too.
Diabetes
Low carbs diet is the best type of diet for diabetic patient. While on ketogenic diet your body will burn fat for energy and ketones will be produces these bodies can make you sick especially if you have type-1 diabetes. Don’t forget to ask your doctor before any diet trial.
Epilepsy
Ketogenic diet has been used in 1920 for controlling seizures. Ask your doctor about this type of diet if you have epilepsy.
Other Nervous System Disorders
Ketogenic diet maybe helpful for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and sleep disorders. Mechanism is not clear but scientist may refer it to the ketones your body makes when it breaks down fat for energy help protect your brain cells from damage.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
High levels of insulin can cause POS and as ketogenic diet lower both the amount of insulin you make and the amount you need; it appears to be helpful when accompanied with lifestyle changes and exercise.
Exercise
A ketogenic diet may help endurance athletes -- runners and cyclists, for example -- when they train. Over time, it helps your muscle-to-fat ratio and raises the amount of oxygen your body is able to use when it’s working hard. But while it might help in training, it may not work as well as other diets for peak performance.
Side effects
The most common side effects of ketogenic diet are constipation, mild low blood sugar, or indigestion, kidney stones or high levels of acid in your body (acidosis).
Diet with care
When your body burns its stores of fat, it can be hard on your kidneys. And starting a ketogenic diet -- or going back to a normal diet afterward -- can be tricky if you’re obese because of other health issues you’re likely to have, like diabetes, a heart condition, or high blood pressure.When you have certain conditions or chronic disease make small dietary changes and always with your doctor supervision.
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