KETO DIET: THE PROS AND THE CONS

Introduction
Ketogenic diet, also known as keto diet, is one of the major diets in a human life
consisting of low carbohydrate levels and high fatty food consumption. Some food
categories are preferred in this category and such include seafood that include
fish and salmon, dairy products including milk and ghee, and vegetables including
cabbage, cucumber and tomatoes.
The fatty components of these meal are usually broken down in the human liver
during metabolism upon starvation in the process called gluconeogenesis. The
fatty acids are metabolized to form ketone bodies and thisis where the term
‘keto’ is derived. Ketones are organic acidic compounds and their release as a
result of metabolism leads to decreased blood pH.
A keto diet is composed of about 65-80% fat and small levels of carbohydrate,
about 20-50 grams daily. If one decides to start a keto diet run, he or she should
definitely lower the carbohydrate amount being consumed per day for
effectiveness. This type of diet has been known for several useful applications.
Benefits
One of the most known benefits of ketogenic diet is its weight reducing
capabilities. Researchers found that people following the keto diet lost two
pounds more than those who went on low fat diet in a year. Ketogenic diet also
reduces a person’s appetite and increases metabolism rates in the body. This
makes it more efficient in terms of weight loss capabilities, thus its more effective
taking a keto diet alongside physical activities.
Also, a ketogenic diet may have the capability of reducing risks of certain cancers
by inducing more oxidative stress in the cancerous cells than in normal cells
eliminating them in the process. It also reduces blood sugar levels and thus
reduces insulin levels in the blood, resulting to the lowered possibility of cancer.
In addition to this, it allows for brain protection. Mitochondrial DNA is replicated
and the mass is increased courtesy of the ketone uptake in a keto diet. This
enhance the brain cell capabilities and prevent further neurodegenerative
disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.
It is also evident that keto diet may reduce the chances of epilepsy. Epilepsy is
sometimes triggered when the internal body environment is basic. Ketone bodies
slightly raises the acidity thus this condition is evaded.
Other major benefits of this diet under study include:
1. Improves acne
2. Improves health function
Risks and complications.
Ketosis is a major risk factor to those who have very high uptake of that diet.
Some of the complications caused by overuse of this diet include:
1. Keto flu, though this usually doesn’t last long.
2. Higher risks of kidney stones due to acidity that causes calcium excretion.
3. Nutrient deficiencies due to restriction of several other foods thus other
various complications.
4. Very low blood sugar that may cause comatose state and death if
untreated.
It is not recommended for people with certain disorders not to take this kind of
diet because it might end up posing a risk to their already compromised health.