It seems like every day somebody is talking about a new kind of diet. Some of these are fads, and clearly just a new way of starving the body. Others are new names for diets that have been around for years.
The Ketogenic Diet is not a fad- it's been around for a long time. But it is a diet that's not right for everybody.
Let’s take a look at what it is and whether it works. More importantly, let’s see if it’s healthy and effective choice for you.
The Ketogenic Diet is a very low carb, very high fat diet. It's similar to parts of the Atkins diet and the Paleo diet.
TweetThe goal is to force the body into a state known as ketosis. Ketosis is what your body does when it doesn’t have enough fuel. Without carbohydrates available for energy, it burns fat, and that makes ketones. Ketones are byproducts of fat breaking down.
The Ketogenic Diet mimics starvation (and it helps many along the way)
The Ketogenic Diet has been used successfully as part of a treatment protocol for several illnesses. It’s been proven to help stop seizures in children with epilepsy. It’s also been shown to have a positive impact on people who have Type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's, both of which have been linked to inflammation related insulin resistance.
Some studies have shown that it lowers migraine symptoms and reduces the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis. The diet has shown many ways that it provides a protective effect on the brain. It also has been shown to work for people who have trouble losing weight.
Many people like it because it can provide fast results. Some people lose a lot of weight in less than 2 weeks, and this gives them a “jump start”. They say that they have more energy and don’t feel hungry on the diet.
This all sounds great but be sure to read this article to the end or you'll miss the bigger picture.
Some experts say that the increased energy is from cutting out processed foods. The lack of hunger comes from the ketones in the body, which stave off hunger pangs.
Some studies have shown that the diet is very helpful for people who are obese or extremely overweight.
The Ketogenic Diet plan generally cuts your carb intake down to about 50 grams per day or lower. At the same time, it provides some protein and increases the fat that you take in to high levels.
Though cutting out sugary or processed foods and starches like pasta or bread makes a lot of sense for a healthy diet, some of the other foods that are forbidden on a Ketogenic Diet are a concern.
Here are some of the benefits:
- There is no calorie counting
- Ketogenic diets have been shown to lower blood cholesterol and triglycerides
- It can help you lose weight fast
Despite these advantages, there is an even longer list of reasons that a Ketogenic diet can be harmful to your health or is simply not a smart choice.
These include:
- It is a short term diet that won’t keep weight off for good
- It is a very strict diet that restricts many healthy foods, including almost all fruit
- It can make you lose muscle
- It makes your body think that you are starving, which in turn slows metabolism
- It focuses on the number on the scale rather than on improving health
The bottom line is that the Ketogenic Diet starves you of an entire nutrient group for a short period of time and makes your body think you are starving. It doesn't teach you how to nourish yourself with healthy foods.
Rather than trying a diet that gives you a quick fix, focus on eating plenty of healthy foods that are high in nutrients and adding physical activities that will add to your quality of life.
Yours in Health,
Danette
P.S. Please feel free to share this info. and I want to hear from you! Leave me a comment below.
