Nowadays, everyone who wants to lose weight looks for diets with instant results. The low-carb, high protein diet known as the keto diet has captured the attention of people as it burns fat effectively without any need of starvation. The keto diet was primarily developed for epileptic patients only. The use of the keto diet for weight loss has received mixed reviews. While some people think that it is one of the best ways to lose weight, some experts have reported some serious risks associated with its long-term use. So, should you try it or not? Keep reading to learn more.
How does the Keto Diet work?
As you know, the human brain has been created in a way that it uses carbs and sugars to perform daily functions but in the keto diet, this is transferred. Instead of using carbs, the keto diet tricks your body into using fat as its fuel. This stage is known as ketosis.
Things to Eat in the Keto Diet
Here are the things that are considered keto-friendly
● Meat
● Fish
● Dairy (cheese, butter, cream)
● Nuts
● Low-carb veggies (green leafy veggies)
Things to avoid in keto-diet
In the keto diet, the intake of the following foods is prohibited
● Sugary Desserts
● Fruits
● All sorts of beans and legumes
● Alcohol
● Grain and starch
Benefits of the Keto Diet
Apart from helping in weight loss, the keto diet is used to treat many medical conditions.
1. Weight Loss
As mentioned earlier, the keto diet is one of the most efficient ways of losing weight. It keeps you full while burning your fat.
2. Treats Neurological Disorders
This diet has been used for decades to treat epilepsy in kids. It has shown a reduction in seizure attacks in many patients. Some studies also suggest that this diet may also be helpful to treat dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
3. Helps with Diabetes
The consumption of a high fat, low-carb diet instantly lessens the sugar level in the blood. People having insulin resistance can use this diet as a natural way to treat type 2 diabetes.
4. Reduces the risk of Heart Attack
You may know that the major cause of heart attack is cholesterol. The keto diet helps to reduce fat and thus reduces the risk of a heart attack in the patient. Also, this diet increases the amount of good cholesterol which improves heart health. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim.
Risks of the Keto Diet
Following are some potential risks of the keto diet.
1. Lack of Nutrients
In the keto diet, as you avoid the intake of fruits and vegetables, there is no natural source of vitamins. Thus, it leads to nutrient deficiency that can cause many health problems.
2. Liver Health
As your liver has to burn so much fat into sugar, this diet burdens your liver and may worsen any existing liver condition.
3. Kidney Problems
Kidneys metabolize protein however, too much use of protein may lead to kidney stones and other complications.
4. More Side Effects
The other side effects of the keto diet include constipation, mood swings, fatigue, and headache. Also, the long-term effect of ketosis may cause serious problems.
Final Verdict
The bottom line is that while being an effective way of weight loss, the keto diet has many side effects. The keto diet has been used as a way by doctors to treat many disorders; however, its prolonged use without a prescription is not recommended as it can have many serious implications. So, before going on a keto-diet, you must consult your doctor or dietician, especially if you have any medical condition.
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