Absolute Keto: How Does This Diet Work?

The Absolute Keto diet is a weight loss supplement that helps the body transition from burning glucose to burning fat for energy. This is achieved by reducing the intake of carbohydrates, which are replaced with fat. The body then enters a metabolic state called ketosis, where the liver turns fat into ketones, which can be used by the brain for energy. The diet is also said to suppress appetite and increase metabolism.

Ketogenic diets and weight loss

The ketogenic diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that offers many health benefits, including weight loss and a reduced risk of certain diseases. The diet involves drastically reducing carbohydrate intake and replacing it with fat, which puts the body into a metabolic state called ketosis. Ketosis occurs when the body uses fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates, which are its main source of energy.

There is evidence that ketogenic diets can help with weight loss. They may help you lose fat, preserve muscle mass, and improve markers of disease. Some studies have suggested that a ketogenic diet may be more effective than a low-fat diet for weight loss, even when total calorie intake is matched. For example, one older study found that people on a ketogenic diet lost 2.2 times more weight than those on a low-calorie, low-fat diet. Additionally, an older review of 13 studies found that following a ketogenic diet was slightly more effective for long-term weight loss than a low-fat diet.

The ketogenic diet is particularly effective for weight loss because it increases protein intake, suppresses appetite, improves insulin sensitivity, decreases fat storage, and increases fat burning. It is also very filling, which means that calorie counting is usually not necessary.

However, it is important to note that the ketogenic diet may not be suitable for everyone. It may not be sustainable for some people's lifestyles and preferences, and it may not be the best option for elite athletes or those wishing to build large amounts of muscle. Additionally, there may be some negative effects, including the risk of kidney or liver problems, dehydration, and "keto flu," which includes symptoms such as poor energy and mental function, increased hunger, sleep issues, nausea, and digestive discomfort.

Before starting the ketogenic diet or any other diet, it is important to speak to a doctor to ensure that it is safe and suitable for you.

Ketogenic diets and diabetes

The ketogenic diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that can help manage diabetes and prediabetes. The diet involves drastically reducing carbohydrate intake and replacing it with fat. This reduction in carbs puts your body into a metabolic state called ketosis, where it becomes very efficient at burning fat for energy.

When following a ketogenic diet, your body converts fat, instead of sugar, into energy. The diet aims to force your body to use a different type of fuel by depriving it of carbohydrates. Instead of relying on sugar (glucose) from carbs like grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruits, the body relies on ketone bodies produced by the liver from stored fat.

Benefits for Diabetics

The ketogenic diet can help lower blood glucose (sugar) levels and improve insulin sensitivity. This can lead to significant health benefits for people with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.

One study found that the ketogenic diet improved insulin sensitivity by 75%. Another small study showed that following a ketogenic diet for 90 days significantly reduced long-term blood sugar management levels in women with type 2 diabetes.

Additionally, a study of 349 people with type 2 diabetes found that those who followed a ketogenic diet lost an average of 26.2 pounds (11.9 kg) over two years. They also experienced improved blood sugar management and reduced their use of blood sugar medications.

Risks and Considerations

While the ketogenic diet has shown benefits for diabetes management, there are some risks and considerations to keep in mind:

• Nutrient deficiency: A ketogenic diet may lead to deficiencies in micronutrients like selenium, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamins B and C.
• Liver problems: The high-fat content of the diet may worsen existing liver conditions.
• Kidney problems: The kidneys may be overloaded due to the high protein intake.
• Constipation: The diet is low in fibrous foods like grains and legumes.
• Fuzzy thinking and mood swings: Low-carb diets may cause confusion and irritability as the brain functions best with sugar from healthy carbohydrates as its energy source.
• Diabetic ketoacidosis: There is a risk of developing diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) if ketone levels become too high. DKA is a dangerous condition that increases blood acidity and can lead to a diabetic coma.
• Long-term sustainability: Some people may find the restrictions of the ketogenic diet difficult to follow over the long term.

Bottom Line

The ketogenic diet can be an effective tool for managing type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, but it should be approached with caution and under medical supervision. It is important to work with a healthcare professional to monitor blood glucose and ketone levels and ensure that the diet is not causing negative effects. Adopting a plant-based diet or other dietary approaches like the DASH diet may also be beneficial for diabetes management.

Ketogenic diets and metabolic syndrome

The ketogenic diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that has been shown to improve health markers in adults with metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a collection of signs of poor health that are linked with type 2 diabetes and heart disease. These signs include a large waist size, high blood pressure, high triglyceride levels, low HDL levels, and elevated blood sugar levels.

Ketogenic diets are very low in carbohydrates and effective in lowering insulin levels, prompting the body to break down body fat into ketones. This reduction in insulin promotes a metabolic shift towards lipid oxidation and the utilisation of fatty acids and ketones for energy.

A study by researchers at Bethel University, Minnesota, USA, found that the ketogenic diet was much more effective than a standard American diet, even with exercise, at achieving weight loss, lowering body fat percentage, and decreasing HbA1c, a long-term measure of blood glucose control.

The ketogenic diet has also been found to improve glycemic control and reduce medication usage in type 2 diabetes patients. A study by Accurso et al. showed that type 2 diabetes patients on a very low-carbohydrate diet had much less insulin released in response to a meal and required less insulin to achieve and maintain lower blood glucose levels.

In addition to its benefits for metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, the ketogenic diet has been shown to improve risk factors for heart disease, including body fat, HDL (good) cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and blood sugar.

However, it is important to note that the ketogenic diet has some potential side effects and risks, including nutrient deficiency, liver problems, kidney problems, constipation, and fuzzy thinking and mood swings. Therefore, it is recommended to consult a doctor and a registered dietitian before attempting a ketogenic diet.

Ketogenic diets and fatty liver disease

The ketogenic diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that can help with weight loss and improve health. It involves drastically reducing carbohydrate intake and replacing it with fat. This reduction in carbs puts your body into a metabolic state called ketosis, where it becomes very efficient at burning fat for energy.

Ketogenic diets have been found to be effective in managing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD is a major non-communicable disease that affects approximately 25% of the global population. It is associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome, and there is currently no approved medication for its treatment. Lifestyle interventions, such as dietary modification and physical exercise, are crucial in managing NAFLD.

The ketogenic diet can play a role in NAFLD management by reducing hepatic de novo lipogenesis. Patients with NAFLD have high levels of hepatic triglycerides, which are produced from de novo lipogenesis (mostly from glucose), lipolysis from adipose tissue, and dietary free fatty acids. By limiting carbohydrate intake, the ketogenic diet helps maintain relatively low blood glucose levels, which leads to lower insulin levels and reduced hepatic de novo lipogenesis.

Additionally, nutritional ketosis and ketone bodies formed during carbohydrate restriction can promote weight loss by enhancing satiety and reducing total energy intake. Ketone bodies, such as beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), also have anti-inflammatory properties and can play a role in modulating NAFLD pathophysiology by inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress.

Several studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of the ketogenic diet on NAFLD. A 2018 study found that carbohydrate-restricted-induced ketosis in obese or overweight patients improved blood sugar parameters, reduced cardiovascular risk factors, and decreased the need for medications to manage high blood pressure and diabetes. Another 2020 study reviewed the benefits of the ketogenic diet on NAFLD and concluded that, in addition to caloric restriction, macronutrient distribution, particularly high-fat intake, played a role in NAFLD treatment.

However, it is important to note that long-term adherence to a ketogenic diet may lead to micronutrient deficiencies and potential adverse effects, especially in certain patient groups. It is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new diet, especially for those with specific health conditions.

Ketogenic diets and epilepsy

The ketogenic diet is a medical treatment for epilepsy, usually considered when at least two suitable medications have been tried and proven unsuccessful. It is often used for children with difficult-to-control seizures, but adults may also benefit. The diet is high in fat and low in carbohydrates, with the body using ketones (produced by the liver from stored fat) for fuel instead of sugar.

The diet is carefully monitored by a dietitian and a neurologist, and is usually started in hospital. The patient fasts under medical supervision for 18-24 hours, before the diet is started, either by slowly increasing calories or the ratio of fat to protein and carbohydrates. The diet is very strict, with foods weighed and measured, and meals carefully prepared.

The ketogenic diet has been shown to reduce seizures in many children who were unable to control them with medication. Over half of the children who go on the diet experience at least a 50% reduction in seizures, and some become seizure-free. The diet can also lead to improved alertness, awareness, and responsiveness.

The diet is not without its risks, however. It is high in saturated fat, which is linked to heart disease, and can cause nutrient deficiencies. It can also cause constipation, hunger, vomiting, and lack of energy, especially at the start of treatment.

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