The ketogenic diet: Is a low-carb diet good for you?

These days, many of my patients have been asking about a keto food plan. Is the ketogenic weight loss program safe? Do you recommend it? Despite the current hype, the ketogenic diet isn’t always a new thing. In medical medicine, we have been using it for nearly a hundred years to deal with drug-resistant epilepsy, especially in children. In the 1970s, Dr. Atkins popularized his very own low-carb weight loss plan that began with a very strict ketogenic portion for a week. Over time, other diets have incorporated a similar approach to weight loss.

What is a ketogenic weight loss plan?

Basically, it’s a diet that causes the body to release ketones into the bloodstream. Extreme cells choose to use blood sugar, which comes from carbohydrates, because the body’s source of energy is important. In the event that no blood sugar is circulating from meals, we start breaking down the saved fats into molecules called ketone bodies (the method is known as ketosis). After reaching ketosis, the ketone maximal cells in our bodies will use them to generate force until we start eating carbohydrates again. The transition, from using circulating glucose to breaking down stored fat as an energy source, usually occurs over two to four days of eating fewer than 20 to 50 grams of carbohydrates consistent with the day. Remember the fact that this is a completely individual technique, and some people need a very restrictive diet to start producing enough ketones.

Since it lacks carbohydrates, the ketogenic weight loss program is rich in proteins and fats. It usually consists of plenty of meat, eggs, processed meats, sausage, cheese, fish, nuts, butter, oils, seeds, and fibrous vegetables. Because they are so restrictive, it is really hard to comply with them in the long run. Carbohydrates usually account for at least 50% of the typical American diet. One of the main criticisms of this weight loss program is that many humans tend to eat a lot of protein and the big, bad fats from processed meals, with very little vegetables and corn. Kidney patients need to be careful because this weight loss program is bound to aggravate their condition. Moreover, some patients may also feel a shabby touch at first, while some may also experience bad breath, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and sleep problems.

Is a ketogenic weight loss plan helpful?

We have solid evidence showing that a ketogenic weight loss program reduces seizures in children, sometimes just as effective as treatment. Because of these neuroprotective findings, questions have been raised about viable benefits for other brain problems which include Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, sclerosis, sleep problems, autism, or even most brain cancers. But, there is not any human research to guide the recommendation of ketosis to treat these conditions.

Weight loss is the number one goal my patients use the ketogenic diet for. Previous research shows the correct evidence of faster weight loss when subjects transition to a ketogenic diet or a low-carb diet compared to individuals who follow a traditional low-fat diet, or even a Mediterranean diet. But this difference in weight loss seems to disappear over time.

Additionally, a ketogenic diet plan has been shown to enhance blood sugar control for those with type 2 diabetes, at a minimum over a short period of time. There is more controversy when we think about the effect on cholesterol levels. Some studies show that a small number of patients have an increase in cholesterol levels at first, and it is best to see a decrease in cholesterol after a few months. However, there may not be long-term studies that read its effects over the years on diabetes and excessive cholesterol.

Key takeaways from the ketogenic weight loss program review?

A ketogenic diet can be an exciting alternative to coping with positive attitudes, and it can promote weight loss. But they are hard to notice and can be heavy on beef and various fatty, processed and salty meals for which they can have a bad reputation. We also don’t understand a lot of the results over long periods of time, possibly because it’s just too hard to stick to for people to consume this way long-term. It is also necessary to keep in mind that “yo-yo dieting” that leads to rapid fluctuations in weight loss is associated with increased mortality. Instead of being sucked into an afterthought on a popular weight loss plan that may only last a few weeks to months (for the general population that includes a ketogenic diet), try to adopt a sustainable alternative over a long period. A balanced, unprocessed weight loss plan rich in colorful end results, veggies, lean meats, fish, whole grains, nuts, seeds, olive oil, and water masses appears to have the quality evidence of a long, healthy, colorful existence.