Keto For All: Weight Loss Not Needed

The ketogenic, or keto, diet is a low-carb, high-fat, and high-protein diet that has been adopted by many looking to lose weight and improve their health. While it is often associated with weight loss, some people may choose to follow a keto diet for other health reasons, such as improving heart health, reducing the risk of certain cancers, or managing specific health conditions like type II diabetes, epilepsy, autoimmune disorders, and hormonal imbalances.

When following a keto diet, it is important to ensure you are still consuming enough calories to maintain your weight. This may involve tracking your calorie intake and making sure you are getting enough healthy fats, such as avocado, olive oil, nuts, and full-fat dairy. Additionally, achieving and maintaining ketosis, the state where your body burns fat for energy instead of glucose, is crucial for reaping the benefits of the keto diet. This typically involves reducing carbohydrate intake to 20-50 grams per day, depending on body size.

Overall, while the keto diet is often associated with weight loss, it can also be followed by those who do not need to lose weight and may offer potential health benefits beyond weight management.

Keto can help manage depression and anxiety

The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat, and moderate-protein diet. It was originally used by people with epilepsy to help manage seizures but is now widely used as a weight-loss tool. Being in a state of ketosis, where your body burns fat instead of carbohydrates for energy, has benefits that make it easier to stay in a calorie deficit.

However, because the keto diet can affect the brain and nervous system, it may also affect your mood. The keto diet has been found to exert some positive effects on the brain and nervous system. It has beneficial effects not just for epilepsy but also for migraines, other seizure disorders, and Alzheimer's dementia.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

GABA is a neurotransmitter that plays a critical role in managing stress, anxiety, and mood. Low GABA levels have been linked to clinical depression. Animal studies have found that following a ketogenic diet may increase circulating levels of GABA, potentially improving depressive symptoms. However, more research is needed in this area.

Mitochondrial function

Mitochondria are cellular components that generate the energy cells need to function. Mitochondrial dysfunction, such as producing inadequate amounts of energy for the cell to function properly, has been implicated in depression. People with depression have lower levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)—an energy-providing compound—in their brain than those without depression. Ketogenic diets may make it easier to produce ATP in people with mitochondrial dysfunction.

Oxidative stress

Oxidative stress refers to cellular damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable compounds that can damage cells if they build up in the body. Oxidative stress is associated with numerous diseases and health conditions, and high levels of this stress have also been noted in people with depression. Following a ketogenic diet may improve markers of oxidative stress, improve your antioxidant status, and help reverse some of the damage caused by free radicals, potentially improving depressive symptoms.

Insulin function

Insulin is a hormone that helps manage blood sugar levels. Some people, especially those who eat a diet high in sugar and refined starch, can develop insulin resistance, where their body doesn't respond to insulin as well as it should. Insulin resistance is linked to weight gain, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and depression. Following a ketogenic diet, which limits sugar and starch and helps keep blood sugar levels stable, may improve insulin sensitivity.

Inflammation

Chronic inflammation has been linked to depression. It is a dysfunctional immune response that can make you susceptible to other problems, including insulin resistance, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and GABA suppression. The ketogenic diet has some anti-inflammatory properties and may improve chronic inflammation. This is because using ketones for energy generates fewer pro-inflammatory compounds called reactive oxygen species than using glucose for energy.

While the keto diet may help with depression and anxiety, it is important to note that it may also cause or exacerbate these conditions in some people. The keto diet can be difficult to adjust to, and some common early symptoms, known as the "keto flu," can be challenging to manage. Additionally, the restrictive nature of the diet may lead to feelings of deprivation and social isolation, which can contribute to depressive symptoms.

If you are considering the keto diet to help manage depression and anxiety, it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional first. While it may offer potential benefits, it is not the only successful treatment option, and there may be alternative approaches that are better suited to your individual needs.

It can help with epilepsy

The ketogenic diet (KD) is an effective treatment for epilepsy, especially for those with drug-resistant epilepsy. KD is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that can be challenging to maintain, but it has been proven to reduce seizures and improve quality of life for people with epilepsy.

KD mimics the fasting state, altering the body's metabolism to use fats as the primary energy source. This process is called ketogenesis, where the breakdown of fatty acids in the liver produces ketone bodies (KB). KBs are used as an alternative energy source for the brain, which has an anti-epileptic effect.

The administration of KD depends on its nutritional value and should be managed by a neurologist. It is important to closely monitor individuals on KD to ensure they are getting the right nutrients and manage their medication.

In addition to reducing seizures, KD has been shown to improve energy levels, cognitive development, and behaviour in people with epilepsy. It can also lead to improved sleep and better management of triggers.

The restrictive nature of KD can make it challenging to maintain, and some people may experience side effects such as gastrointestinal symptoms, weight loss, and high cholesterol. It is important to be aware of these potential challenges and work with a healthcare team to manage them.

Who should consider KD?

KD is an effective treatment option for individuals with drug-resistant epilepsy who are not candidates for surgery. It is important to note that KD should be implemented under medical supervision and is not suitable for everyone.

It can improve heart health

The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat, and high-protein diet. It can be beneficial for people who do not need to lose weight, as it can improve heart health.

The keto diet can lead to a reduction in fat mass and weight in the short term. While there is limited evidence of its long-term benefits, the diet may improve heart health by lowering blood sugar and blood pressure levels. However, it is important to note that the extreme restriction of carbohydrates may lead to a decrease in the consumption of fruits and vegetables, which are essential sources of vitamins and minerals. Additionally, the keto diet has been associated with elevated levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol, which is a known risk factor for heart disease.

To ensure safe and effective use of the keto diet, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional and be aware of your family history of heart disease. It is also important to address any existing risk factors, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, inactivity, poor sleep, and smoking. Cholesterol levels should be monitored throughout, and the duration of the diet should be kept short.

For those seeking the benefits of the keto diet without the risks, a Mediterranean-style diet is recommended. This alternative focuses on fresh vegetables, low-glycemic fruit, lean fish, white meat, whole grains, and healthy fats from sources like nuts and olive oil. It also involves limiting sugar, salt, alcohol, red meat, and processed foods. This balanced approach can improve heart health and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.

It can reduce the risk of certain cancers

The ketogenic diet is a low-carbohydrate method of eating. It can be beneficial for people with diabetes, epilepsy, autoimmune disorders, acid reflux, inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and other issues. While it is often associated with weight loss, some people may choose to adopt this diet for its potential health benefits, even if they do not need to lose weight.

One possible benefit of the keto diet is that it may reduce the risk of certain cancers. Here are 4-6 paragraphs explaining this in more detail:

The Warburg Effect

The Warburg effect, discovered by Nobel laureate Otto Warburg, demonstrates that cancer cells thrive on glycolysis, producing high lactate levels even when oxygen is abundant. This means that cancer cells have a unique ability to break down glucose (a simple sugar) quickly for energy. As a result, cancer cells are highly dependent on glucose as their primary fuel source.

Ketogenic Diet and Cancer

The ketogenic diet may help reduce the risk of certain cancers by starving cancer cells of their preferred fuel source, glucose. The keto diet is very low in carbohydrates, which are broken down into glucose. Instead, the diet is high in fats, which are broken down into ketones that normal cells can use for energy but cancer cells cannot. This selective starvation of tumors is known as the ketogenic diet's metabolic effect.

Protecting Healthy Cells

During chemotherapy or radiation treatment, a ketogenic diet may help protect healthy cells from damage. Chemotherapy and radiation aim to destroy rapidly dividing cells, which include both cancer cells and healthy cells. By providing an alternative energy source in the form of ketones, the keto diet may help healthy cells withstand the harsh effects of cancer treatments.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Inflammation can encourage the growth and spread of cancer. The keto diet may help ease inflammation throughout the body, creating a less hospitable environment for cancer cells. This anti-inflammatory effect is one of the potential mechanisms by which the keto diet may reduce cancer risk.

Weight Management During Treatment

Chemotherapy for breast cancer and other cancers can lead to weight gain, which increases the chance of tumor recurrence. The keto diet may help prevent this weight gain during and after chemotherapy, thereby reducing the risk of cancer progression or recurrence.

While the potential cancer-fighting benefits of the keto diet are intriguing, it is important to note that this field of research is still evolving. There is currently no consensus among major cancer groups recommending keto diets for cancer prevention or treatment. More large-scale human studies are needed to fully understand the effects of keto on different types and subtypes of cancer. Additionally, some keto-friendly foods, such as red meat, may increase the risk of certain cancers, so careful food choices are essential. It is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new diet, especially for those undergoing cancer treatment or with a history of cancer.

It can impact brain health

The ketogenic diet has been shown to have a positive impact on brain health. It is believed to be particularly beneficial for certain brain disorders. For instance, the ketogenic diet has been used to treat drug-resistant epilepsy in children since the 1920s. The exact mechanisms behind its antiseizure effects are still unknown, but it is thought that ketogenic diets can lead to a significant rise in blood levels of ketones, which are important molecules that can be used as an alternative energy source for the brain.

Ketogenic diets have also been found to be beneficial for people with Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's is characterised by plaques and tangles in the brain that cause memory loss, and it is believed to be a type of insulin resistance where brain cells become unable to use glucose properly, leading to inflammation. Ketogenic diets and MCT supplements may help improve memory and brain function in people with Alzheimer's disease.

In addition, ketogenic diets may have several other benefits for the brain, including improved memory in older adults, relief from migraine symptoms, and reduced symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

However, there are certain conditions for which a ketogenic diet is not recommended, such as pancreatitis, liver failure, and some rare blood disorders. It is always advisable to consult with a doctor before starting any new diet, especially one as restrictive as the ketogenic diet.

Frequently asked questions