Ketogenic Diets: What’s the hype?

It seems to me like every health conscious individual I talk to these days brings up the word Keto. I wanted to give you a breakdown of exactly what the Ketogenic Diet is and why it could be beneficial.

So why is it called Keto? The Ketogenic Diet is essentially a diet high in fat, low in carbohydrates, and moderate in protein. The breakdown is usually something like 60-75% fat, 15-30% protein, and 5-10% carbohydrates. The purpose of the diet is to push the body into a state of ketosis by significantly lowering its supply of carbs.

The Central Nervous System (the brain) primarily uses glucose (sugar) for energy. When glucose levels run too low, the brain must seek alternative fuel sources… ketone bodies. It’s advantageous to use ketone bodies as they actually provide more energy when broken down compared to glucose.

There is significant evidence that a Ketogenic diet has shown to be beneficial for Weight Loss, Cardiovascular Disease, Type 2 Diabetes, and Epilepsy. There is also emerging evidence for its benefit in those suffering from Cancer, PCOS, Neurological Diseases, and Acne.

The Keto Diet could be beneficial for weight loss due to the appetite suppressant effect of protein, and the effect of ketone bodies on appetite controlling hormones. It has also been shown to increase lipolysis (breakdown of fat), decrease lipogenesis (production of fat), and produce a higher thermic effect of food. Studies have shown its positive effects on blood lipid profiles and dramatic improvements in insulin resistance, as well as blood glucose control. Thus, a Keto lifestyle may be very advantageous for those suffering from Cardiovascular Disease or Type 2 Diabetes. In addition, one of the most remarkable benefits of this dietary intervention has been in studies on Epilepsy. Reviews have demonstrated a 30-40% reduction in seizures as a result of adopting a the diet. Furthermore, ketone bodies have been shown to have anticonvulsant effects and reduce neuronal excitability.

In conclusion, the Ketogenic Diet is not just some fad diet in the media. It really does have powerful therapeutic effects on many of the conditions I listed earlier. I would caution, however, that it is not an easy diet to follow. The adherence for long term success is low. I would also advise speaking with your doctor before taking on such an extreme dietary intervention. Many individuals experience adverse side effects, like the “Keto flu” or mood changes as a result of decreasing carbohydrates so dramatically. These are all things I would be aware of if you are thinking about going Keto. I would love to hear your thoughts or experience with this, so feel free to leave a comment below or send me a message. =)