Ever felt like you’re in a rut when it comes to diets and lack of interest in trying out new things?
Keto (pronounced “ket-oh”) is a lifestyle that revolves around eating healthy, organic foods, and getting most of your daily requirements from fat instead of carbohydrates. A popular diet protocol that is becoming more and more mainstream is the keto diet.
Many people have reported great success on the diet, and there are even apps that can help you track your food intake so you can better monitor your ketone levels.
The keto diet is high in fats and low in carbohydrates. This type of eating can have many benefits for your health, but because it’s high in fats, you have to make sure that you get the nutrition you need to sustain it. This is where keto supplements come in handy. But before we get into the details, let’s take a quick look at the anatomy of a keto human so you can have an idea of what’s going on inside your body when you’re on this powerful diet.
What Is A Ketogenic Diet?
A ketogenic diet is a low carbohydrate, high fat diet that when followed properly can be used as an effective weight loss tool. The diet was first developed in 1908 by Dr. Ludwig von Siebenthal, and it was later made famous by the work of Dr. Alan Goldhamer and Dr. Roy W. Stephens in the 1960s. One of the primary roles of the ketogenic diet is to get your body into a state of ketosis — a condition where your body is breaking down fats for energy rather than carbs (as it does when you’re eating standard American diets). Once you’re in ketosis, your body will start to produce more ketones, which means there are more opportunities for your body to use fat as a source of energy.
This is different from a standard diet, where your body primarily uses carbohydrates for energy.
Because it’s becoming so popular, the World Health Organization has even declared the ketogenic diet as “the best dietary strategy for losing weight” in part of a 2019 report on healthy eating. But how does it work? How does a ketogenic diet help you lose weight? Let’s take a look.
How Does A Ketogenic Diet Help You Lose Weight?
Many people who try out the keto diet for weight loss notice that it forces them to eat a healthy diet and limits their intake of carbohydrates, which are a major source of energy for the body. A ketogenic diet inhibits the uptake of carbohydrates by the liver, which in turn reduces the level of insulin in the bloodstream. In addition, the restricted carbohydrates and increased fats in the diet provide your body with more energy than usual, causing you to lose weight even when you’re not exercising.
Some people who have tried out the diet also report that it has dramatically improved their mental clarity and sharpness. They state that because the diet doesn’t provide the body with the essential carbohydrates that it needs for basic functioning, it forces the brain to rely more on its own resources and functions better. This could explain why some people on a keto diet experience reduced depression and anxiety symptoms, especially since many people who are overweight or obese are known to suffer from depression and anxiety disorders.
It’s important to note here that a keto diet isn’t just about weight loss. Many medical professionals believe that a low carbohydrate diet can improve a variety of health issues, from type 2 diabetes to Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, research suggests that a ketogenic diet could be used as an effective treatment for many health problems. But before you start changing your diet to satisfy your body’s needs, be sure that your doctor agrees that this is the right move for you.
The Pros and Cons Of The Ketogenic Diet
Before you start changing your diet and lifestyle to satisfy your body’s needs, you have to weigh the pros and cons of the diet. There are many benefits to a ketogenic diet, but because it’s not a vegan diet (as many popular diets are), you have to make sure that you’re aware of the risks before you make any kind of commitment to the lifestyle.
One of the primary advantages of a ketogenic diet is that it provides your body with a steady supply of nutrients while discouraging your appetite. When you’re following the diet, you’re not likely to feel hungry – a major factor in weight loss. Your body starts relying more on fat for energy, and because vitamins and minerals are more readily available from the fat you eat, you’re guaranteed to get the nutrients you need to stay healthy.
The problem is that just because a food is good for you doesn’t mean that it’s good for everybody. Some people have reported that while on a keto diet, they experience constipation issues. In general, you should try to consume more fibrous vegetables and fewer fatty foods when on the diet. If you’re worried about constipation, you could switch to a higher fiber cereal or yogurt for a healthier option. The key takeaway from this is that while on a keto diet, it is important to monitor your bowel movements closely to make sure that you’re not causing any health problems.
The Many Health Benefits Of A Ketogenic Diet
If you’re interested in trying out the keto diet, you should know that it can have many positive effects on your body. Here’s a short list of some of the more prominent benefits:
- It’s high in vitamins and minerals
- It reduces cholesterol levels
- It reduces the risk of heart disease
- It increases energy levels
- It improves mental clarity and performance
- It makes you lose weight
- It could be used as a treatment for certain diseases
One of the main reasons why the ketogenic diet has become so popular is that it provides your body with many benefits without the need for dangerous chemicals or supplements. When you’re not in ketosis, your body breaks down fats for energy, which leads to many negative effects including weight gain and heart disease. By entering ketosis, you’re putting your body into a state where it has no choice but to burn fats for energy, which in turn reduces the risk of many illnesses. It’s truly a win-win situation.
If you want to try out the keto diet, make sure to get the right information first. Make sure you consult with a doctor or nutritionist to get started. They can help you find the right diet and lifestyle for your needs. In addition, if you want to lose weight, they can help you figure out the best way to go about it. You’ll also need to consider whether this is the right fit for your lifestyle – are you willing to make the necessary adjustments? The last thing you want to do is try something new only to discover that it’s not for you. That’s why it’s important to try out different diets in practice first before you commit to a lifestyle change.
The keto diet has been gaining popularity as more and more people see the great benefits that it provides. While there are risks associated with the diet, only you can decide if they’re worth it for you. Before you start changing your diet and lifestyle, be sure to discuss it with your doctor so that he knows what your plans are and can help make sure that you’re doing this for the right reasons.