The Keto Diet in a Nutshell
Keto diet is a popular dietary plan that helps the body remain fit and healthy, and these days it is gaining more popularity than ever before. So, what exactly is Keto and how is it beneficial to our bodies that it has become this famous?
What is the Keto Diet?
Ketogenic, also known as “keto”, is an eating strategy that consists of little or no carbohydrates, 80% of fat, and the rest is protein. Keto works by changing the body’s mechanism of turning food into energy. Key ingredients found in a typical Keto diet are meat, fish, eggs, green vegetables, oils, dairy, etc. Fruits, grains, potatoes, pasta, and rice are strictly prohibited from this dietary plan.
How does it work really?
As previously mentioned, Keto essentially changes the way the body turns food into energy. Usually, during digestion, the body’s metabolism breaks down carbohydrates that could be found in foods like pasta, rice, potatoes, fruits, and grains, into molecules of glucose (the body’s primary source of energy), fructose, and galactose.
When the body is unable to get energy from carbohydrates, either because the person is starving or because carbs have been cut out of their diet, the body has to look for other ways to form energy. That’s the plan of the Keto diet; it forces the body into a state called ketosis, where fat is released into the cells and turned into ketones. This is the body’s form of a “Plan B” – a way of getting energy when carbohydrates are no longer available.
Keto focuses on implementing a high fat, adequate protein, but low carbs diet. Many people are thrilled with their results after switching to a keto diet and swear by it; they claim that it is quite useful as a detox method for the body.
What are the benefits of a Keto diet?
1. Weight Loss.
An unhealthy lifestyle, such as too little sleep, bad eating habits, addiction to alcohol or drugs, stress and many other reasons have contributed to weight gain or even obesity in a lot of people. This is why the Keto diet has gained so much popularity today.
Since Keto is a high fat, low carb diet, it teaches the body to use the fats in the body as an energy source. This reduces sugar levels in the body and burns the body fat quickly, making it possible to shed weight, reduce cravings and still be full, because of the protein in the diet.
2. Some say it may minimize the risk of cancer.
Researchers have found that there’s a connection between high blood sugar and various diseases, including cancer. Sugar is produced mainly from carbohydrates. Keto diets avoids carbs and heavily on protein and fat for the sustenance of the body.
3. It may Improve heart health.
Keto can enhance the quality of the heart by reducing cholesterol levels. A healthy Keto diet has been shown to increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels while significantly reducing LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
4. It Improves skin quality.
One of the primary reasons for acne, pimples and some skin problems is unhealthy eating habits and blood sugar levels. A diet based on processed or refined carbohydrates can alter gut bacteria and fluctuate blood sugar levels, which in turn can majorly influence skin health. With a Keto diet, however, the reduction or elimination of carbs in your intake may, in turn, give you a well-nourished looking skin.
There are many other benefits that are not mentioned here. However, it is essential to note that your doctor’s opinion matters before you begin this journey. Keto is not for everyone, especially if you have a history of any illness. Consult Dr. Dharia and his team at Palm Beach Internal Medicine to ensure that the Keto diet is safe for you.