The Keto Diet Explained
The ketogenic diet, otherwise known as the keto diet, is all the rage these days. So exactly what is the keto diet? This diet is based on the science of how the body burns fats that it has been storing. Obviously, for most people, that is the entire purpose of any diet: to burn fat and lose those extra pounds. Everyone wants to do that, and the diets that produce the fastest results are the most popular. The keto diet typically begins with a rapid initial weight loss.
More Fats, Less Carbs
The ketogenic diet operates by encouraging the body to produce and use ketones in place of carbohydrates for energy. It is similar in some ways to other carbohydrate-restrictive diets. However, the keto diet is more restrictive than many other low-carb diets, such as Atkins. Keto diets generally are extremely low in carbohydrates, like those other diets, but adds in more fats than proteins. That is where the primary difference lies.
There are different varieties of the ketogenic diet. These differences generally lie in how many carbohydrates one is permitted to consume while still adhering to the diet. The end goal of all types of keto diets however is to force the body into a nearly constant ketone-producing state. This causes the body to consume stored fats as energy, particularly as energy for the brain.
The brain requires glucose or carbohydrates as fuel. Ketones are produced as the body breaks fats down into a form that the brain and other organs can consume as fuel. The body generally breaks down carbohydrates first, because they are a quicker form of energy. The fats either become or remain stored for later use in times of need. The ketogenic diet forces the body into a state of ketosis, causing the liver to produce ketones from the stored fats. It is like a state of starvation, which is why the body pulls from its stored fats in order to convert them to fuel.
Reset the Body’s Metabolism
There have been studies that have shown that the keto diet can essentially reset the body’s metabolism. Weight loss and improved overall health are among typical results. It is also thought that following a keto diet in some form can help reduce insulin-resistance or other health problems that are known to lead to diabetes or heart disease. It has also been known to improve cholesterol levels.
The keto diet can be followed by nearly anyone. However, some people with specific health concerns or dietary needs would be well-advised to speak with their doctor before attempting it. This may include diabetics and nursing mothers, for example. These people can still potentially benefit from a keto diet, but it is important that they do so with medical direction. There are enough dietary options available that fit within the keto diet that it can be tailored to meet specific needs, from quick and easy meals to specific allergen-free.
So in short, what is keto? It is a diet and lifestyle that follows a specific ratio of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates for one’s diet, to promote rapid weight loss and improved health.