The Keto Diet

A keto, or ketogenic diet, consists of meals that are high in fats, moderate in proteins, and very low in carbs. With promises that you won’t feel hangry and that you’ll have great energy while the weight quickly fades, the keto diet has become very popular amongst dieters. There are still questions though, as some have said that low carb diets are only a fad. So is this diet a good route to take on your next weight-loss venture?

As mention before, the keto diet is mainly based around low-carbs and high-fats. More specifically, somewhere around 55-60% fat and 5-10% carbs per day, leaving about 30-35% leftover for protein. Now at first glance most are surprised and ask, “How could eating more fat help me burn fat?” Thankfully, there is research that shows this can be affective. To summarize, the glycogen stores in our body start to deplete when we are deprived of carbs. Eventually our body will enter a state that is called “Ketogenesis”. When our bodies enter this state ketone bodies replace glucose as our primary source of energy. This and more leads to a steep decline in fat and glucose storage. Simply, it’s hard to deny that a keto diet can help you lose weight.

There are plenty of other benefits to keto as well. A substantial amount of research shows that the diet can have significant benefits for various health conditions such as, Alzheimers, heart disease, and even cancer. In fact, Russel Wilder, the man who coined the term “ketogenic diet” used the diet to treat epilepsy as far back as 1921.

All of these benefits do seem great, so why are there those who think keto is just a fad? Or even those who say it’s actually unhealthy? Well, certain individuals are concerned that the diet is short term and that most of the weight lost is merely water weight. Another concern is brought to attention are those of Francine Blinten, R.D.. who is a certified clinical nutritionist and public health consultant. She says, speaking of the keto diet, “It can do more harm than good. It can damage the heart…”

Friend or foe, when it  comes to the keto diet, like many other popular topics, there may be controversy. As far as if it may be a good idea to try a ketogenic diet will have to be your decision. Listen to your body and don’t push yourself past your limits for the sake of weight loss. Remember there are always plenty of options when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle.