A keto diet refers to a ketogenic diet, which is a high-fat, adequate-protein, low-carb diet. The goal is to get more calories from protein and fat than from carbs. It works by depleting your body of its store of sugar, so it will start to break down protein and fat for energy, causing ketosis (and weight loss).
One extremely popular version of a keto diet is the Atkins diet.
Read on to learn the benefits of the keto diet.
1. Aids in weight loss
It takes more work to turn fat into energy than it takes to turn carbs into energy. Because of this, a ketogenic diet can help speed up weight loss. And since the diet is high in protein, it doesn't leave you hungry like other diets do. In a meta-analysis Trusted Sourceof 13 different randomized controlled trials, 5 outcomes revealed significant weight loss from a ketogenic diet.
2. Reduces acne
There are a number of different causes of acne, and one may be related to diet and blood sugar. Eating a diet high in processed and refined carbohydrates can alter gut bacteria and cause more dramatic blood sugar fluctuations, both of which can have an influence on skin health. Therefore, by decreasing carb intake, it's not a surprise that a ketogenic diet could reduce some cases of acneTrusted Source.
3. May help reduce the risk of cancer
The ketogenic diet has recently been investigated a great deal for how it may help prevent or even treat certain cancers. One study foundTrusted Source that the ketogenic diet may be a suitable complementary treatment to chemotherapy and radiation in people with cancer. This is due to the fact that it would cause more oxidative stress in cancer cells than in normal cells.
Other theories suggest that because the ketogenic diet reduces high blood sugar, it could reduce insulin complications, which may be associated with some cancers.
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4. Improves heart health
When the ketogenic diet is followed in a healthy manner (which considers avocados a healthy fat instead of pork rinds), there is some evidence that the diet can improve heart health by reducing cholesterol. One study foundTrusted Source that HDL ("good") cholesterol levels significantly increased in those following the keto diet. The LDL ("bad") cholesterol went down significantly.
5. May protect brain functioning
More research is needed into the keto diet and the brain. Some studies suggest that the keto diet offers neuroprotective benefits. These may help treat or prevent conditions like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and even some sleep disorders. One studyTrusted Source even found that children following a ketogenic diet had improved alertness and cognitive functioning.
6. Potentially reduces seizures
It's thought that the combination of fat, protein, and carbs alters the way the body uses energy, resulting in ketosis. Ketosis is an elevated level of ketone bodies in the blood.
Ketosis can lead to a reduction in seizures in people with epilepsy. The jury is still out on how effective this actually is, though it seems to be most effective on children who have focal seizures.
7. Improves health in women with PCOS
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that causes enlarged ovaries with cysts. A high-carbohydrate diet can negatively affect those with PCOS.
There aren't many clinical studies on the ketogenic diet and PCOS. One pilot studyTrusted Source that involved 5 women over a 24-week period found that the ketogenic diet:
increased weight loss
aided hormone balance
improved luteinizing hormone (LH)/follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) ratios
improved fasting insulin
More research is needed.
Risks and complications
The ketogenic diet may have health benefits - including quick weight loss. But it's important to note that staying on the ketogenic diet long-term can have adverse consequences on your health. These include an increased risk of:
kidney stone formation
acidosis (high levels of acid in the blood)
severe weight loss or muscle degeneration (for long-term use)
In many cases, the immediate side effects of the diet may include:
constipation
sluggishness
low blood sugar
These symptoms are especially common at the beginning of the diet as your body adjusts.
Your brain and body's primary and preferred source of energy comes from glucose. Because of this, a drastic elimination of carbohydrates isn't typically a sustainable method of reaching optimal wellness.
Takeaway
Any drastic change in your diet can have potential consequences to your health. Because of this, you should always talk to your doctor or a nutritionist before starting a new diet.
If you're interested in starting the keto diet, you should be extra careful to check with your doctor if you have diabetes, hypoglycemia, or heart disease.
Because you don't want your body to stay in ketosis for too long, you'll want to discuss other options for dietary changes for an extended period of time.
The ketogenic diet encourages the elimination of refined and processed carbohydrates. However, not all carbohydrates are created equal. Many health benefits come from a diet that includes a variety of nutrient-dense, fibrous carbs, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
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