Overview of Keto Diet and Its Benefits

What is a ketogenic diet (KETO)?

A Ketogenic diet is a diet that is low in carbs but high in fats. It basically involves cutting down heavily on carbohydrate (carbs) intake and supplementing with high amounts of fat. The ketogenic diet is also known as Keto, Low carb diet, Low-carb/High-fat (LCHF) diet, and more. I know nutritionists have come to make us believe that fats are bad for the body. But in this case, they have it wrong! The human body is a very efficient engine and that has been designed to process both carbohydrates and fats for energy. Fats are only bad for the body when it is accompanied with high intake of carbs. This is because the body favors processing carbohydrates over fats for energy; since it is easier to process.

Hence the body stores up the unprocessed fat, that then piles up to become unhealthy for the body. Ketosis or Keto, on the other hand, is the process of inducing the body into a metabolic state where it is made to process Fats (rather than carbs) as the primary source for energy production. This is achieved by drastically reducing the amounts of carbs you take in, in favor of fats. The human body’s adaptability then makes it switch to processing Fats for energy. When the body is in Ketosis, it becomes super-efficient at burning Fats for energy. This is obviously good if you’re looking to lose some weight. The liver also turns fats into Ketones, which is great energy for the brain. Ketones have the distinct advantage of keeping you more focused; since you won’t suffer from the energy fluctuations that come from processing carbs(sugar), and the mood swings that come with it.

Benefits of KETO

• Great for Weight Loss: Ketosis is when the body burns fats for energy and you will agree with me that this is great for losing excess weight. When the body uses fats for energy, it becomes better at burning off fats. It also produces less Insulin (the hormone responsible for storing fat), which creates the optimal condition for losing weight without necessarily having to go through hunger. A ketogenic diet allows you to lose weight while eating full meals!Several studies have been conducted and they prove that a ketogenic diet leads to more effective weight loss, as compared to other diets.
• Helps Reduce Blood Sugar: A ketogenic diet is great when trying to reduce your blood sugar. During ketosis, your body stops relying on carbs for energy production. This means your body runs on fewer carbs (sugar) and instead burns off fat. This is also good for pre-diabetic and diabetic patients; since the body stops producing high amounts of insulin, which comes from high carbs intake. Studies show that a ketogenic diet is a more effective way of controlling and reversing high blood sugar levels, in patients with pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes. This is because Ketogenesis greatly lowers the risks that accompany high insulin production levels.
• Reliable Energy for Physical and Mental Performance: Ketosis (the process of burning fat for energy) generates a steady supply of energy for the body. Studies show that Fats molecules are the most efficient to utilize as fuel. You will experience a more energetic feel to your daily activities since your body constantly supplies you with ‘better’ energy. Ketones are also a very good energy source for the brain. Being a steadier source, you will experience more focus and concentration; while avoiding big blood-sugar mood swings. Many people go on ketogenic diets, mainly for its immense benefit of mental performance.
• Epilepsy Control: Since the early 1920s, the keto diet has been proven to be effective when used to treat cases of uncontrolled epilepsy in children. The diet is still widely used in treating epilepsy because it allows patients to remain seizure-free while using little to no anti-epileptic drugs. This greatly reduces the side effects felt from using the drugs, thereby increasing mental focus in patients. The ketogenic diet is also being recommended for adult epileptic patients, because they stand to gain the same unique benefits from using the diet.
• Controlling Blood Pressure and Cholesterol: The ketogenic diet is amazing for drastic cholesterol reduction in the body. This makes sense since the body burns mainly Fats for its energy needs. This is also good news for those looking to manage blood pressure problems, associated with high cholesterol levels.
• Acne: Being on a keto diet generally leads to improvements in your skin. Several studies have shown that switching to a ketogenic diet, leads to a drop in skin inflammations and lesions.
• Better Physical Endurance: The keto diet has the advantage of greatly increasing your physical performance and endurance. This is because you get constant access to all the energy that your fat stores have to offer. The body becomes more efficient when it runs on keto energy since Fats molecules are easier to burn for energy. Keto(fat) energy also lasts longer than energy from carbs – which only lasts a couple of hours at the most.
• Good for Appetite Control: When your body runs on keto energy, you get access to weeks’ or months’ worth of energy from stored up fats in the body. This leaves you feeling less hungry since your body doesn’t need to replenish depleted energy as much as it would on a carb diet. The new control on appetite, gained from the ketogenic diet, makes it easier to lose extra weight and also correct some eating disorders, such as sugar addiction, and bulimia.

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