When you hear about the ketogenic diet, perhaps the first thing that comes to mind is could it possibly be as good as people say. The answer is, there are enough benefits to change your life. Keto is everywhere nowadays; it’s the new buzzword, the new favorite among those looking to shed pounds, and the new hate victim of the traditional food pyramid and mainstream medical industry. The keto diet, while it is not the magic cure-all for anything and everything on the planet, it does do a terrific job at helping subside current diagnosed issues in the body. So let’s cut through the science, separate fact from fiction, and look at all the benefits of keto.
So what exactly is a ketogenic diet?
The keto program recommends a diet that is low on carbs, moderate on protein, and high in fat. The idea is to fine-tune nutritional intake in order to send the body into the metabolic state known as ketosis.
The body enters a state of ketosis when it no longer has stores of glycogen sugar to fuel its energy needs. With sugar out of the way, the body has no choice but to tap into its reservoir of fat for energy. The liver converts fat reserves into ketones to present to the body as an energy source. This is why the keto program is a good way to lose fat. Unlike other diets, keto offers the weight loss benefit with little else. Furthermore, the keto diet comes with several benefits to consider, and hopefully, this article will help guide you the right way.
Weight loss
Okay, so this one isn’t so astounding, but without a doubt, it is one of the most common reasons people embark on the keto diet. It works because it makes the body look to its fat reserves to power its metabolism thus usually making it easy to achieve weight loss on the ketogenic diet instead of all the regular diets.
• The keto diet is composed of approximately 75% fat, 20 % protein, and 5% or fewer carbohydrates. The high-fat content and lack of sugar mean diminished cravings, lack of blood sugar swings and binges, and increased satiation. Increased satiation=eating less. Many people also have food sensitivities to grains, such as needing gluten-free options, so eliminating them may lead to an increased ability to absorb minerals like magnesium and potassium.This will help leave your body more nourished and have fewer cravings.
• When your blood sugar is running low, your body turns to its glycogen stores for energy. Typically glycogen can store about 2000 calories of “backup” energy for when you run out. Like the intelligent machine it is, your body depletes the glycogen stores and then turns to your own body fat for fuel. Your liver will then turn this fat into a type of acid called ketones. This is then sent throughout your body as energy.
IMPORTANT: The ketogenic diet is not a free-for-all eat however much cheese or super low-carb fat bomb treats you want kind of diet. If you are eating way more calories than you need, you will not lose weight. So focus on keeping your diet around fatty cuts of grass-fed meat, butter, eggs, avocados, lots of green and cruciferous veggies. You also want to be mindful of the keto desserts, dairy, and sweets.
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It takes the edge off your appetite
When your diet does not depend on so many carbs, you’ll find that you don’t crave as much food as before starting keto. Many people who get on the keto diet are able to fast most of the day, and only eat at mealtimes. They are simply not as hungry as before.
Improved ability to focus
While you maintain your regular diet that has many carbs going into the body, your brain experiences a rise and fall in sugar levels. Inconsistent energy levels can make it hard for the brain to focus. With the keto diet, however, the energy source is much more consistent and the brain has a better ability to stay focused.
You feel more energetic
While you continue your regular diet, your body is always on the verge of running out of energy. You need to constantly eat and refuel. With a keto diet, the body taps into its fat reserves for a nearly never-ending energy source. As a result, the body is able to maintain constant energy levels throughout the day. Who doesn’t want to feel more energetic at the end of the day?
Improved Brain Function
The original ketogenic diet was formulated by Dr. Russell Wilder in the early 20th century to treat epilepsy. The success rate was phenomenal and it is still used today to treat epilepsy and other brain disorders. Research indicates that ketones are a more efficient fuel for the brain than glucose, which leads to better brain function. In addition, you will likely have improved productivity, happiness, and overall satisfaction.
Helps you fight diabetes
When you suffer from Type II diabetes, your body experiences high levels of insulin. Since the keto diet takes excess sugar from your diet, it helps stabilize HbA1c counts and helps reverse Type II diabetes to some degree.
You get improved levels of good cholesterol
HDL cholesterol helps get rid of the body’s bad cholesterol. When you’re on keto, your body’s triglyceride levels fall and your HDL cholesterol levels rise.
Improves blood pressure
Once your body is in ketosis, it helps drop high blood pressure and keeps it regulated. Many people on the keto diet find that they are able to stop taking blood pressure medicine altogether but by no means am I saying stop taking your medicine and always consult with your doctor first.
Hopefully, I have shown you just how much the keto diet can change a person’s life and that it is an easy diet to maintain. Whether you're new to dieting or just tired of the other plain and restrictive diets out there, keto can be done by anyone. There are plenty of great and tasty recipes for the keto diet. All it takes is the willingness to give it a shot. On top of that, there's an extremely helpful resource here with a totally customizable plan. You can create your own plan based on your personal food preferences, daily activity levels, height, weight, and target weight goals. Try it out here!
