Every few seasons, a new diet surfaces and ends up becoming a trend. The keto diet is one such trend that has really taken off, to the point where most restaurants now offer keto-friendly foods too. The reason behind its popularity is the quick and drastic results it shows. A study found that those who were obsess lost 30 pounds within two months of being on the diet; others have reported losing 22 pounds within 8 weeks.
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Keto diet for disease?
The ketogenetic diet is the ultimate no-carb diet you can follow. Those following this diet must eat fat-rich foods. While it may seem like a new diet trend, the keto diet has been used for many centuries for medical conditions. It was mainly formulated to help those with diabetes. Diabetics cannot eat carb-rich foods, since it’s converted into sugars by the stomach’s enzymes.
The keto diet was used back in the 1920s as an effective treatment plan for children suffering from epilepsy, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. This diet has also been tested for polycystic ovaries syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer.
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How does the keto diet work?
The main goal of the keto diet is depriving your body of glucose. Glucose is the main source of energy for cells in the body. Carbohydrates are converted into glucose with the help of the body’s enzymes. An alternative source of fuel for the body’s cells are ketones. These are produced from stored fats.
When the body is in a state of starvation or ketosis, it begins to use up glucose from the liver and then begins using stored fat to function. It takes 3 to 4 days for the body to completely deplete any glucose, after which the body is in a state of ketosis.
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What does the keto diet consist of?
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to the keto diet. Each individual’s calorie intake will be different. Generally, the rule is to keep carb intake below 50 grams a day. The remainder calories must be obtained from fat, which makes up 70 to 80% of the diet; the remainder can be made up of proteins.
Does this diet work?
The keto diet is known to produce positive metabolic changes in the short-term. Individuals on this diet notice their weight go down on the scale rapidly. Health parameters in those suffering from insulin-resistance, as well as those with diabetes, are also known to improve.
Like all other diets, this one too has some pitfalls. Not only is it a difficult diet to keep up with, but starving your body of carbs can lead to the keto flu as well as fatigue. There’s also the increased possibility of developing kidney stones as well as osteoporosis.
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