The keto diet is a term used for a low-carb diet. The idea behind the keto diet is to drastically reduce the intake of carbohydrates (up to 20-50 grams per day) in the body and replace them with fats. On the keto diet, the body uses fats and proteins as a source of energy instead of glucose. We could say that it enters the body into ketosis. It is a natural metabolic state, in which the body converts glucose to ketone bodies and burns fats as a source of energy. This results in weight loss very quickly. But this is not the only goal of the keto diet. There are also other benefits.
The keto diet is a controversial topic. Some people assert that this diet increases cholesterol levels and may cause heart disease. However, in many studies, the keto diet is proven worthy and beneficial for health if taken under the guidance of a regular doctor or registered nutritionist.
So, here is the list of proven benefits of the keto diet.
Diabetes reversal
Type 2 diabetic patients experience a decrease in their blood glucose level, so they require fewer medicines. Making diabetes reversal last longer should be done under proper medical supervision. This is because the keto diet reduces blood glucose levels, thus medicine needs to be adjusted from time to time.
Reduces appetite
When you are on a high-carb diet, your blood sugar level fluctuates. 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.
For the treatment of psychiatric conditions
A recent study was done on adults with persistent mental illness. When kept on the keto diet, depression, and psychiatric conditions improved.
Weight loss
When on the keto diet the person consumes mainly fats rather than carbs. Fats make us feel full for a longer time and suppress our appetite, promoting weight loss.
Improves acne
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.
May reduce the risk of certain cancers
The keto diet is considered safe and suitable to be used along with chemotherapy and radiotherapy in people with certain cancers. Some studies suggest that this is because it causes more oxidative stress in cancer cells as compared to normal cells.
May improve heart health
There is a connection between heart disease and diabetes. Heart suffering may be because of inflammation and many times the cause of inflammation is high blood sugar levels. The keto diet helps to lower blood sugar levels and improves anti-inflammatory insulin function, thus helping to treat heart conditions. By controlling blood sugar levels, the keto diet raises HDL cholesterol levels and reverses type 2 diabetes. Both factors help improve heart health and lower the risk of heart disease.
Improves brain function
On the keto diet, ketones are found to strengthen and protect the brain and nerve cells by providing neuroprotective effects. This improves brain functions such as memory and thinking.
Reduces seizures
The keto diet was originally developed to treat epileptic seizures in children. Nowadays, it’s still used by people who have seizures that are difficult to control alone with medication. In one study, over half of the children on the keto diet experienced a significant reduction in seizures.
Improved PCOS
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.
One last note:
The keto diet is a controversial topic. Some people assert that this diet increases cholesterol levels and may cause heart disease. However, in many studies, the keto diet is proven worthy and beneficial for health if taken under the guidance of a regular doctor or registered nutritionist.