The keto diet is a fad that has been around for a while now. Is this diet worth the hype?
Ketogenic History
The Keto Diet is a well-known and trusted method of treating epilepsy. It was discovered by Dr. Russel Wilder in the 1920s as an alternative to fasting.
Fasting had until then been the preferred dietary strategy for children with epilepsy. The keto diet is more sustainable than fasting in that it can be adopted by patients over a long period of time.
The keto diet allowed the patient to fast indefinitely, which allowed the body to burn more fat than glucose and allow for long-term blood sugar lowering.
Although doctors are still unsure why the keto diet reduces seizures, it is still being used as an alternative treatment for anticonvulsant medication failures.
The keto diet was not only beneficial to epilepsy patients but could also be used by people with any other neurological condition.
Keto has seen a lot of scientific research in the past 5 years. I decided to investigate the reasons and the benefits of Keto for potential Keto-dieters.
While there are some downsides to the Keto diet (e.g., it might not be suitable for people with heart disease), this article will focus on the positives that make this diet so popular.
1. It’s Speed.
The keto diet is known for its ability to produce rapid results. Here’s an example of how 10 pounds were lost in just three weeks.
You will notice the quick results and the encouragement that the keto diet offers. People have a hard time committing to dieting.
People think that dieting is impossible because they don’t see quick results. They believe they will never lose weight.
Because it delivers results quicker than other diets, the keto diet can help to dispel those doubts. This motivates you and takes away your needless thoughts.
This is a great way to boost your willpower and give you the confidence and encouragement you need.
2. Reduces appetite
A person’s appetite is a major problem for anyone trying to lose weight. The Western world is known for its tendency to overeat.
It can be difficult at first to curb these cravings, especially if we are trying to reduce our intake.
Low-carb diets like the keto diet can help you with this. It has been proven to suppress appetite, so you will be less likely to reach for snacks between meals.
This leads to weight loss by reducing calorie intake.
3. Great For your Waistband
Low-carb diets are great for burning belly fat because they have been shown to reduce visceral fat (the fat that accumulates around your abdomen).
My muffin top, also known as the fat around my midriff that overhang my trousers, was one of my main problems when trying to lose weight.
This stubborn bulge will disappear quickly with the keto diet.
4. Blood Sugar Control
The Keto diet works wonders in controlling blood sugar. It can reverse type-2 diabetes.
The keto diet is great for diabetics and those with insulin resistance. Some people can reduce their insulin dose by half after they start it.
A low-carb diet is one of the best ways you can lower your blood sugar levels.
5. Increased energy levels and cognitive clarity
You may feel slightly tired, groggy, or low in energy for the first few days of the keto diet. This is called the “keto flu” because your body is adapting to not relying upon sugar as an energy source.
After a few days, your cravings for carbs and sugars will slowly decline. Your body will start to burn fat instead of carbs for energy.
Your blood sugar should stabilize once you reach ketosis. This is when your brain starts to burn ketones instead of sugar.
Most people experience an increase in energy, mental clarity, and less brain fog.
Because ketones are more sustainable and are a more fuel-efficient source than glucose, they are so popular.
6. Inflammation is reduced
The keto diet will reduce inflammation if you eat whole, unprocessed keto foods. Your body’s way to deal with unhealthy foods.
Your body creates chemical responses that eventually lead to chronic inflammation. This can lead to heart disease, cancer, neurological conditions, and diabetes.
Your body will begin to release fewer chemicals if you eat unprocessed food on the keto diet.
This will result in a decrease in inflammation, which will help improve your overall health.
7. May Protect Against Cancer
The evidence is mounting that the keto diet can actually reduce tumor growth and prevent cancer.
The Warburg effect demonstrates that tumors can break down glucose faster than normal cells. By inhibiting the tumor’s fuel (glucose), you can stop its growth and prevent it from spreading.
The keto diet is beneficial for both those who want to prevent cancer from developing and those in remission.
8. Prevent Heart disease
Although it may seem like wishful thinking, increasing your intake of fat and protein will help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Studies have shown that increased levels of triglycerides are caused by the intake of carbs, not more fats.
The keto diet can also raise good cholesterol (HDL), which will help prevent heart disease.
9. Increase Fertility in Women
The keto diet could be right for you if you are looking to get pregnant quickly. The keto diet has been shown to be beneficial for fertility, according to studies.
The reason is that women who don’t eat enough fats can affect their hormone balance, and this can cause underproduction of progesterone which is essential for reproduction.
Women with polycystic Ovary Syndrome, who have had difficulty getting pregnant, should consider the keto diet.
Conclusion
Although the keto diet may not be for everyone, it can be very extreme. There are many benefits to the keto diet that have been supported by solid scientific research.
The keto diet is an excellent choice for anyone looking to lose weight quickly. However, it will take some persistence and effort to get through the keto flu. It’s not for everyone, I should add.
I hope you are still pondering about keto. This post will help you to make a decision. As with any diet, it is important to read as much information before you begin.
This is especially true for the keto diet. Keto is a strict diet that requires discipline and a restricted list of food groups.
You are likely to see positive results if you are willing to put in the effort.
