Keto Diet Advantages and Disadvantages
When you hear about the ketogenic diet,
the first thing you perhaps think of is what could possibly make it as good as
people say. The answer is, there are enough benefits to change your life.
What
exactly is a ketogenic diet?
The keto program recommends a diet that is low on carbs, moderate on protein and high in fat. The idea is to fine-tune nutritional intake in order to send the body into the metabolic state known as ketosis.
The body enters a state of ketosis when it
no longer has stores of glycogen sugar to fuel its energy needs. With sugar out
of the way, the body has no choice but to tap its stores of fat to get by. The
liver converts fat reserves into ketones to present to the body as an energy
source. This is why the keto program is a good way to lose fat.
7 benefits of the keto diet:
Unlike other diets that offer
practitioners a weight loss benefit and little else, the keto diet comes with
several benefits.
Weight loss
Without a doubt, weight loss is the primary goal of the keto diet. It works because it makes the body look to its fat reserves to power its metabolism. It can be interesting to go deeper into the process, however.
When the body is deprived of carbs, it
enters a state of ketosis. Blood sugar and insulin levels fall when that
happens. As the body taps the energy in fat cells, they release considerable
quantities of water, making for some great weight loss. The fat cells are then
able to enter the bloodstream and make their way to the liver, where they are
turned into ketones for energy processing. As long as your diet allows you to
stay in a caloric deficit, you get to enjoy the weight loss benefits of the
keto diet.
It takes the edge off your appetite
When your diet isn't heavy on carbs,
you'll find that you don't crave as much food as before. Many people who get on
the keto diet are able to fast most of the day, and only eat at mealtimes. They
are simply not as hungry as before.
Improved ability to focus
When you choose a regular diet that puts
carbs into the body, your brain has to deal with the rise and fall in sugar
levels that happens as a result. Inconsistent energy levels can make it hard
for the brain to focus. With the keto diet, however, the energy source is
constant and consistent. The brain is better able to stay focused.
You feel more energetic
When you are on a regular diet, your body
is always on the verge of running out of energy. You need to constantly eat and
refuel. With a keto diet, however, the body taps its fat reserves, a nearly
unending energy source. The body, then, is able to maintain constant energy
levels throughout the day. The result is, you end up feeling a lot more
energetic.
It helps you fight diabetes
When you suffer from Type II diabetes,
your body experiences high levels of insulin. Since the keto diet takes excess
sugar from your diet, it helps stabilize HbA1c counts, and reverse Type II
diabetes.
You get improved levels of good cholesterol
HDL cholesterol helps get rid of the
body's bad cholesterol reserves. When you're on keto, your body's triglyceride
levels fall and your HDL cholesterol levels rise.
You get better blood pressure
When you're on the keto diet, it drops your blood pressure. Many people on the keto diet find that they are able to stop taking blood pressure medicine altogether.
The keto diet can change a person's life. It isn't a difficult diet to get on, either. There are plenty of great recipes for the keto diet. All it takes is the willingness to give it a shot.