There is a new diet trend that’s currently making the news right now. It’s called the Ketogenic Diet, or the Keto Diet for short – a very low-carb, high fat diet that advocates say helps you lose weight fast and have a lot of health benefits. So what is a Keto Diet? Here are some useful information about Keto diet in case you are interested in trying it out.
Is this a new diet? Despite the Keto Diet being a recent fad, its origin actually dates back to the 1920s. Back then, it was not a diet for losing weight. Doctors were using it to control seizures among patients with epilepsy. Despite being successful in reducing the number of seizures, this type of treatment was put on the back burner with the introduction of anticonvulsant medication.
How does the diet help you lose weight? The doctors who discovered the diet formulated a meal plan which induces the body to undergo “ketosis” – a metabolic state that occurs when the body consistently produces and uses ketones for fuel. Simply put, the diet restricts carbohydrate intake and forces the body to burn fat for energy.
What food can you eat while on Keto Diet? The diet restricts the intake of carb foods that contain a lot of sugar and starch. This means that you should avoid pasta, bread, rice and potatoes. You should also avoid food high in sugar like candies, soda and juice.
Is Keto Diet for everyone? Keto Diet is safe for almost everyone, but if you are taking insulin to treat diabetes, it is advised that you contact your doctor first. The diet decreases the blood pressure, so those who are on medication for low blood pressure are also advised to consult their doctors. Breastfeeding mothers should also postpone, or at least consult their doctors for advice before starting the Keto diet, since breastfeeding moms lose a lot of sugar through the breastmilk.
Are there any side effects? While Keto Diet is good and has so many health benefits, there are possible side effects to the diet. One is ketoacidosis. Ketoacidosis is a complication of type 1 diabetes mellitus. This happens when you have dangerously high levels of ketones and blood sugar in the body. While ketoacidosis is a life-threatening condition, this is an extremely rare side effect. A more common side effect, especially for those starting the diet is the Keto Flu. The dieter will experience symptoms of carb withdrawal and flu-like symptoms. The good news is, once the dieter has gotten used to the low-carb diet, the symptoms go away.