The ketogenic diet is a diet that is high in fat, contains adequate protein, and low in carbohydrate. In medicine, it is mainly used to treat refractory epilepsy, especially in children. The keto lifestyle forces the body to adapt by burning fats instead of carbohydrates for energy.
Though ketogenic diets have been controversial for years due to their high-fat content (raising cholesterol and causing heart disease), low-carb diets prove their value as beneficial and healthy. Keto lifestyle change hastens weight loss. Here are some health benefits of keto diets:
Keto diets reduce appetite and subsequently cuts down calorie intake.
Though it is a major reason why people feel eventually give up the dieting, it is quite beneficial.
Keto dieting is a cost-effective way for weight loss.
Cutting down on carbs is one of the simplest and most cost-effective means to lose weight. Studies show that low-carb dieters lose more weight, at a faster rate than low-fat dieters.
Keto diets reduce the risk of having metabolic problems.
Visceral fats tend to accumulate around the body’s organs. Excess of this fat is linked with insulin resistance and inflammation, which consequently may result in metabolic dysfunction. Keto diets reduce this dangerous abdominal fat.
Keto dieting causes a drastic drop in triglycerides.
Triglycerides are fat molecules circulating in the bloodstream. A major driver of raised triglycerides in inactive people is consumption of carbohydrates, especially fructose, the simple sugar.
With steady keto dieting, the body experiences an increase in the levels of good HDL cholesterol.
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is popularly known as the “good” cholesterol. The greater the levels of HDL compared to “bad” LDL in the body, the lesser the probability of heart disease. A major source of “good” HDL is fat. Guess what, keto diets include a lot of fat.
Another health benefit of keto diet is reduced blood sugar and insulin levels.
Ketogenic diets are also most helpful for those with diabetes and insulin resistance, which as we know affects a large number of people in the world today. A good way to lower blood sugar and insulin levels are to cut down carb intake, which could potentially reverse type 2 diabetes.
Ketogenic dieting could lower blood pressure.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major risk and could lead to other diseases, including stroke, heart disease and kidney failure. Keto diets are an efficient way to reduce blood pressure, which would, in turn, reduce the possibility of these diseases, and ensure a long healthy life.
Metabolic syndrome is an aggregation of several symptoms. However, keto dieting is amazingly effective in treating this condition.
- Ketogenic dieting is therapeutic for several brain disorders. A large part of your brain burns ketones. These ketones are formed during starvation, especially when carb consumption is quite low. This is the principle behind the ketogenic diet, which has been used for years to manage epilepsy in children who are unresponsive to drug treatment.
