Keto's Journey: Medical To Weight Loss Wonder

The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat eating plan that has been adopted by many looking to lose weight and improve their health. The diet works by depleting the body of its sugar reserves, causing it to break down fat for energy. This results in the production of molecules called ketones that the body uses for fuel. When the body burns fats, it can lead to weight loss. The keto diet was originally used as a medical diet to help reduce the frequency of epileptic seizures in children.

Weight loss

The keto diet is a popular choice for people looking to lose weight. The diet involves putting the body into a metabolic state called ketosis, where it burns fat for energy instead of glucose. This fat-burning process is known as ketosis and can lead to weight loss.

To achieve ketosis, one must drastically reduce their carbohydrate intake, limiting the body's supply of glucose, which is the main source of energy for cells. Typically, this means limiting carb consumption to around 20 to 50 grams per day and filling up on fats such as meat, fish, eggs, nuts, and healthy oils.

The keto diet has been shown to promote weight loss in several ways, including boosting metabolism and reducing appetite. A 2013 meta-analysis found that people following ketogenic diets lost 2 pounds more than those on low-fat diets over a year. Additionally, a review of 11 studies showed that people on a keto diet lost 5 pounds more than those on low-fat diets after six months.

However, it is important to note that achieving ketosis can be challenging, and there are several reasons why some people may not lose weight on the keto diet. These include not achieving ketosis, eating too much protein, consuming too many acceptable carbs, not counting calories, constant snacking, lack of exercise, underlying medical conditions, and stress and lack of sleep.

To maximize weight loss on a ketogenic diet, it is recommended to get adequate sleep, reduce stress, increase physical activity, and consume whole, nutritious, low-carb foods. While the keto diet can be effective for weight loss, it is not suitable for everyone, and it is important to consult a doctor or dietitian before starting any new diet.

Treating chronic illness

The ketogenic diet has been used to treat chronic illnesses, including epilepsy, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome, and neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, autism, and brain cancers like glioblastoma.

The keto diet has been used to treat chronic illnesses and manage symptoms of various conditions. Here are some of the key ways in which the keto diet has been applied in the treatment of specific chronic illnesses:

• Epilepsy: The keto diet is often used to help reduce the frequency of epileptic seizures in children. By altering the "excitability" part of the brain, the diet can help reduce or prevent seizures.
• Type 2 Diabetes: The keto diet can aid in weight loss and blood sugar management for individuals with type 2 diabetes. It may also lead to improved insulin sensitivity.
• Heart Disease: Following the keto diet may lower the risk of cardiovascular disease by reducing cholesterol levels and improving HDL ("good") cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
• Metabolic Syndrome: The keto diet may reduce the risk of developing metabolic syndrome, which is associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
• Neurological Conditions: Research suggests that the keto diet may benefit individuals with neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, autism, and brain cancers like glioblastoma. The diet may improve neurological function and protect brain cells.
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): The keto diet can help manage PCOS by reducing insulin levels and improving related markers, such as the ratio of luteinizing hormone (LH) to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

While the keto diet has shown potential in treating these chronic illnesses, it is important to consult a healthcare professional before adopting this or any other dietary plan to ensure it is safe and suitable for your specific needs and conditions.

Reducing seizures

The ketogenic diet has been used to reduce seizures since the 1920s. It is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that induces a metabolic state called ketosis, which is believed to reduce seizure frequency and severity. The diet is typically used for children with seizures that do not respond to medications.

There are several theories as to how the ketogenic diet reduces seizures:

• An increase in ketones: Ketones are produced when the body uses fat as fuel instead of carbohydrates. This can prevent seizures by reducing the amount of chemicals in the brain that cause neurons to fire. Ketones can also increase the production of energy in the brain, making neurons more stable.
• Ion channels: Ketones may stop neurons from firing by opening certain ion channels in the cells.
• Reduced energy production: The use of ketones for energy, as opposed to carbohydrates, may have anti-epileptic effects due to reduced energy production.
• Increase in Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs): PUFAs help control the way neurons in the central nervous system work. An increase in PUFAs can lead to the activation of specific proteins that play critical roles in inflammation and a stable environment (homeostasis), as well as the control of certain ion channels that stop the firing of neurons and prevent cell death.
• Change in intestinal microbes: Ketones can change the bacteria found in the intestines, increasing the number of good bacteria. This has a positive effect on certain chemicals in the blood and brain.

The ketogenic diet has been shown to be effective in reducing seizures, with over half of children who go on the diet experiencing at least a 50% reduction in the number of their seizures. Some children, usually around 10-15%, even become seizure-free.

Improving heart health

The keto diet may be linked to a higher risk of heart disease, according to some studies. The diet raises LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels and doubles the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes. This is because the keto diet is high in saturated fat, which is linked to heart disease. The diet's extreme restriction of carbohydrates may also lead to vitamin K deficiency, which can interfere with the anti-clotting drug warfarin taken by some heart patients.

However, the keto diet has also been shown to have some benefits for heart health. It can lower blood pressure, improve HDL ("good") cholesterol levels, and lower triglycerides. Research has shown that the keto diet may lower the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome, which is associated with a risk of heart disease.

If you are considering starting a keto diet, it is important to consult with your doctor or healthcare provider, especially if you have a history of heart disease or high cholesterol. The keto diet should not be a long-term dietary choice and is not suitable for everyone.

To improve heart health, it is recommended to make sustainable lifestyle changes such as daily exercise, a balanced diet, and stress management.

Protecting brain function

The ketogenic diet has been shown to have several benefits for brain function, including:

• Improved memory: Older adults at risk of Alzheimer's disease have shown improved memory after following a very low-carb diet for 6-12 weeks.
• Reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease: The ketogenic diet may be an effective way to fuel a brain affected by Alzheimer's. It can also reduce the harmful proteins that accumulate in the brains of people with Alzheimer's.
• Improved brain function: Feeding older and obese rats a ketogenic diet has led to improved brain function.
• Neuroprotection: The ketogenic diet has been shown to be neuroprotective in animal models of several central nervous system disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, hypoxia, glutamate toxicity, ischemia, and traumatic brain injury.
• Reduced seizures: The ketogenic diet has been used to treat drug-resistant epilepsy in children, reducing the frequency of epileptic seizures.
• Migraine relief: Low-carb or ketogenic diets may provide relief to people with migraines.
• Reduced symptoms of Parkinson's disease: The ketogenic diet has been shown to improve pain and other non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Frequently asked questions