The keto diet is nowadays becoming incredibly popular, and the reason is very easy to understand. This low-carb diet helps with rapid and sometimes long-term weight loss. But it’s not just about weight loss. It’s something beyond that. It is also beneficial for several health conditions, and the results are promising.
Here are some health benefits apart from weight loss.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a condition that causes seizures in a person. Several studies prove that the keto diet shows improvement in around 50% of people with epileptic seizures who are unresponsive to medication alone. Besides seizure control, the keto diet also successfully strengthens nerve cells, thus improving memory power and thinking ability.
Stable energy
When you eat a high-carb diet, carbs are converted to glucose which is your body’s primary energy source because it’s easy to burn. So when the blood sugar level spikes up so does the spike in energy level followed by a downfall when the blood sugar level drops down.
But when on the keto diet, the body switches its source of energy to burning fats. Fats burn more slowly without creating ups and downs in the energy level.
Controls appetite
When you are on a high-carb diet, there are fluctuations in the blood sugar level. Hunger is closely related to blood sugar levels. The crash in blood sugar levels increases appetite and vice versa. But when you are on a high-fat diet, you feel full for a longer time thus reducing your hunger level. It also diminishes hunger by depressing the hunger hormone ghrelin and boosting the cholecystokinin hormone that makes you feel full.
Controls diabetes
Many people all over the world suffer from type 2 diabetes marked by high blood sugar levels. Diabetes increases the risk of many other chronic health hazards like cancer, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease. By restricting carb intake, the glucose level lowers, and so does the insulin level. Therefore patients with type 2 diabetes should not be concerned about blood glucose levels.
Improves PCOS and infertility issues
As the keto diet lowers the insulin level, so does the spike in increased testosterone levels in females, which results in a reduction in PCOS syndrome and infertility issues.
Improves acne conditions
Processed food and high blood sugar levels may aggravate the condition of acne. The keto diet is a low-carb diet therefore blood sugar level drops down, also intake of processed food is inhibited in the keto diet, thus reducing acne problems in some people.
Improves cholesterol.
Several studies suggest that the keto diet affects cholesterol levels. When you consume a low-carb diet, the liver produces fewer triglycerides, which results in increased HDL levels. However, there is a spike in LDL levels in some cases too. So, if you are suffering from any chronic disease, it would be advisable to consult your doctor before you plan to start the keto diet.
Control certain cancer growth
As compared to healthy cells, cancer cells rely disproportionately on glucose for energy and growth. By decreasing glucose and insulin levels, the keto diet creates unfavorable conditions for the growth of certain cancers.
Migraine headache
Migraine headaches involve severe headaches, sensitivity to light, and nausea. One observational study reported a reduction in pain and frequency of migraine attacks in some people following a keto diet.
One last note:
The keto diet should not be considered a cure for the above-mentioned diseases or disorders. No doubt the keto diet’s potential to improve health is very promising, but it still needs validation through random trials and extensive research. Therefore, on the subject of cancer and other chronic illnesses, the keto diet should be followed under the supervision of a doctor.