A Ketogenic Diet is high in fat, low in carbohydrate, protein-filled plan that makes the body burn fat as opposed to carbohydrates. Though it has been used to treat epilepsy in children, it is also a popular weight loss and core strengthening diet.
Based off the proven 4:1 ratio, the secret of the plan is to consume four fats for every one carbohydrate or protein. Below are seven, scientifically-proven, reasons why a Ketogenic Diet could be right for you.
1. Ketogenic Diets and the Treatment of Diseases
Though used primarily to treat epilepsy,
studies show that a reduction in intake of carbohydrates can drastically boost your metabolism, leading not only to weight loss, but in some cases, in the amelioration or the elimination of disease.
Ketogenic diets have been shown to help with Cardiovascular diseases as well, by lowering cholesterol and by pumping up blood lipid panels.
A Ketogenic diet has also been proven to help with Type Two Diabetes by lowering insulin resistance and reduced glucose outputs.
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2. Lowering Carb Intake To Fight Obesity
A second study shows that adopting a Ketogenic diet can significantly help with weight loss by reducing the BMI of patients.
As obesity becomes a worldwide problem that affected millions, the benefits of exercise alone are not enough to lose weight.
The study found that a Ketogenic Diet not only lowered cholesterol and blood glucose, as above, but that it also specifically lowered the level of triglycerides, a major factor in weight gain.
Additionally, once patients went off the diet and returned to one high in carbohydrates, they almost immediately gained back the weight.
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3. Low-carb Brain Fuel
One of the most important factors regarding the Ketogenic diet is the benefits it has on the human brain.
By increasing the body’s circulation of ketones, better and stronger fuel is pumped into the brain, leading to not only an increase in focus and energy, but also acting as a kind of prevention and treatment for a multitude of neurological disorders.
4. Eliminating Glucose To Force The Body To Burn Fat
The goal of the Ketogenic diet is to force our bodies to enter Ketosis, which means that instead of relying on glucose, created by the breaking down of carbohydrates, to fuel ourselves throughout the day, the body must instead look to using stored fat to energize the mind and body.
When the necessary amount of carbohydrates needed to convert into energy are restricted, the body find those materials from other sources.
An entirely new method of metabolism is created, and serves as a jump-start for weight loss. While it is important to remember to work out while on a Ketogenic diet, it has been proven to be far more beneficial than simply exercise alone.
5. Ketogenic Diets and Their Effects on Cellular Energy
This study also points toward an important factor in the success of the ketogenic diet — its impact on cells in the body.
Since we already know that an increased circulation of ketones provides more brain energy, that means that the ketones could also lead to an increase in the number of brain cells themselves.
Additionally, these new and improved brain cells also contain the mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cells, that are packed with higher levels of energy and an increase in productivity thanks to the ketones.
This leads to increased levels of energy and feelings of alertness, which may also be responsible for an increase in metabolic production and the burning of stored fat.
Because of these factors, the Ketogenic Diet has also been shown to improve brain function and to help with memory loss.
6. The Ketogenic Diet Can Potentially Protect Against Cancer
Though there are no guarantees that adopting a Ketogenic diet will prevent cancer, studies have shown that, again due to the increased brain function it provides, the Ketogenic diet has been effective, when used in conjunction with medication, in reduces cancerous brain tumors.
Also, when used in addition to radiation therapy, the Ketogenic diet has eradicated brain tumor cells.
It is thought that the success of the diet in terms of aiding patients with tumors and cancers is due to the diet’s limitation of growth factor stimulation — which, of course, means that it could limit or halt the growth of a tumor.
It may also help to cut back on inflammation surrounding the area of the tumor, which could lead to a reduction in both pain and the size of the tumor itself.
Though it is important to once again stress that a Ketogenic diet cannot on its own protect against cancer and completely eliminate tumors already within the human body, it has been shown, when used in conjunction with other treatments, to speed the recovery process, reduce pain, and help to decrease the size of cancerous and malign tumors.
7. The Power of Antioxidants
Since the Ketogenic diet is also high in antioxidants, studies have shown that it prevents oxidative damage, which can occur during hypoglycemia.
The diet prevents the destruction of weaker cells in addition to creating newer, stronger ones to fight off infection and disease.
An increase in antioxidants within the body can help to balance out the amount of free radicals within the body, which, when out of balance, can lead to decreased energy and a reduced immune system.
When free radicals are removed from the bloodstream, not only is the immune system boosted, but memory function improves, muscles in the eyes are strengthened, and even mood and memory issues are greatly ameliorated.
Final Thoughts
Though the Ketogenic diet has been in place for hundreds of years as a means to treat disease, its proven success in recent studies has lead to a resurgence of the diet.
When combined with exercise, adopting a Ketogenic diet can lead to dramatic and long-term success.
By improving brain function, forcing the body to burn fat and find new ways of creating energy, lowering the intake of carbohydrates, and upping the intake of fat into the body, the Ketogenic diet has a multitude of benefits, and is safe for almost anyone to undertake.
Do you follow a ketogenic diet? If so, let me know how it works for you in the comments below!
Thanks for the article. Now your website has gained another loyal follower.
I have been on Keto for only two weeks and have lost 17 pounds! It feels unreal. I just have a fat when I crave a carb.
I’m new to the ketogenic I want to lose weight so desperately. I’m about 50 pounds overweight the matter what I do I do not lose it. I am trying so hard to read everything I can get my hands on to be successful.
Hey, Pat
I wrote an e-book on how to lose weight on the ketogenic diet that is coming out soon.
You might want to check it out: “Keto Guide Book“. I am convinced it will be helpful to you.
I and my husband are in our 60s and have been on a ketogenic diet for almost a year, due to his elevated blood sugars. Not only have we lost weight, but my husband eliminated the need for any medication for diabetes, and his cardiac meds have been cut in half. His blood sugars rarely go over 120, and are usually below 110. His weight went from 220 to 167. Mine had been 180 and at present is 137 and still on the decline. We don’t feel the need for rice, noodles, breads or potatoes. We both notice that many food seem too sweet to us. We also get full much faster when we go out to eat! Carbs cannot be completely eliminated, as they are in almost any packaged food, but we have learned how to order to get rid of the worst of them. Feel much better with that weight off!
I started Atkins on May 31 and switched to ketogenic in mid-July. Since then I have lost 52 pounds to date (40-45 left to go till I’m happy, though my doctor would like to see another 15).
I absolutely love the way of eating! I dated 2 mots ago and lost 10 pounds. I had hypoglycemia and had to eat every couple hours. Now I eat when Im hungry which isn’t often. I have a keto coffee in the morning about 7am and I’m good to go till about 11 or 12 …I love the energy! I feel
better,look better,think clearer and love the fact I am doing my body and mind justice. For me this is a way of life now!
That’s great! Congratulations! What exactly is your diet plan? I’m in need of some guidance!:)
I would love to get into it… how can I handle constipation with ketonic ?
Drink lots of water!!!
My wife and I both went on Dr. Atkins’ diet. We followed it closely, which pretty much meant not eating out, BUT, we both lost right around 50 pounds in 6 months. It’s the “steak and salad diet” and it works. You do have to cook just about everything you eat, and my wife gets all of the praise because she did all of the cooking, but it most assuredly worked. Just relentlessly cut out carbs and eat lots of tasty meat.
I think that protein could cause weight stalls, and it’s safe to say that a true Ketogenic diet is filled with Healthy fats eg advacardo, coconut oil, nuts and some seeds, also grass fed butter such as Kerry Gold. Protein should be “grass fed” meat and good quality fish or protein of your choice. It is very fair to say that Protein should be consumed in smaller quantities. Lots of above ground vega tables are recommended because the glycemic index on these veg is lower than root vegetables. This information is for a good idea of what a Ketogenic diet looks like.
I’m considering switching to this kind of diet. I’m curious about having energy for exercise. All I’ve ever known is “carb up” before a big exercise event. Is there anything to take into consideration when exercising?
You will have more energy..3x ore a cleaner better energy no ups and downs.Watch you tubes,everything about keto Dr.Eric Berg is awesome!Also inquire all you can about Ketogenics.Good luck
Is there a number of carbs allowed to be consumed per day? I see you are allowed some fruit is there a limit on how much?
Hello,
Yes, there is a limit, generally under 50grams of carbs ( net carbs ) per day, but it depends on people.
Some are fat-adapted and can eat up to 150grams of carbs per day and stay in the state of ketosis.
A generally accepted low-carb diet is 5% of your calories coming from carbs.
If you take 20g of carbs per day, it is quiet sure to send you in a deep state of ketosis.
Be sure not to fall in a ketoacidosis state tough. But if you eat enough carb and fat, and protein, you shouldn’t worry about that.