The Ketogenic Diet - An Authentic Tool For Weight Loss

18th February 2021

The Ketogenic Diet: An Authentic Tool For Weight Loss

The Ketogenic diet (keto diet, in short) is a low carb, high-fat diet. This diet is offered to reveal many kinds of health issues and it has numerous health benefits also. Many previous pieces of research show that this type of diet works well in losing weight and also in improving health.

Keto diet may also work well against diabetes, cancer, epilepsy, and Alzheimer’s disease.

What is a ketogenic diet?

A. Keto basics

The Ketogenic diet shares many similarities with the Atkins and ‘low carb diets, as it is very low in carb and high in fat. The keto diet drastically reduces carbohydrate intake and replaces it with fat. This reduction in carbohydrate intake drags your body into a metabolic state called ‘ketosis. At this stage, your body burns ‘fat’ efficiently, for the supply of energy. The fat present in the liver is also converted into ‘ketones’, which can supply energy for the brain.

A significant reduction is shown in blood sugar and insulin levels by taking ketogenic diets. This causes increased ketones and also has many health benefits.

In-short
The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet. It has many health benefits; including weight loss, low blood sugar, and insulin levels. It drags the body’s metabolism from carbs towards fat and ketones.

Not Losing Weight with Keto Diet Even After Positive Urine Ketone Test

B. Different types of ketogenic diets

There are many types of ketogenic diets, including:

The Standard Ketogenic Diet (SKD): Very low in carb, moderate in protein, and high in fat diet. It consists of 70% fat, 20% protein, and 10% carbs.
The cyclical ketogenic diet (CKD): In this diet, high carb is given between certain time periods, such as 5 ketogenic days followed by 2 high carb days.
The targeted ketogenic diet (TKD): In this diet, a carb is allowed around workouts.
High protein ketogenic diet: Very similar to the standard ketogenic diet, but high in protein. It consists of 60% of fat, 35% of protein, and 5% of carbs.

Standard ketogenic diet and High protein ketogenic diet are more popular and studied extensively. Cyclical or targeted ketogenic diets are not very common, restricted mainly to bodybuilders or athletes. Information provided in this article is mostly applied to the standard ketogenic diet, By the way, many of the same principles are also applied to the other types of the keto diet.

In-short
There are many types of a ketogenic diet. The standard ketogenic diet is the most common, studied, and recommended one.

C. What is ketosis?

This is a metabolic state of your body in which, fat is used as fuel in place of carbs. Ketosis occurs when the main source of energy of the cells i.e. supply of glucose is restricted. This is achieved by reduced consumption of carbohydrates. To enter ketosis, you have to follow a ketogenic diet. Normally, this is achieved by limiting carb consumption to 20 to 50 grams per day and fulfill calorie needs with fats, such as meat, fish, eggs, nuts, and healthy oils.

Consumption of protein must be restricted to a moderate amount, as high amounts of protein taken, can be converted into glucose and will slow down your transition into ketosis.

‘Intermittent fasting is also practiced for faster entry into ketosis. Although, there are many forms of intermittent fasting, the most common one involves limiting food intake to around 8 hours per day and fasting for the remaining 16 hours.

Girl taking salad plate

For determination of, whether you have entered ketosis or not, there are blood, urine, and breath ‘tests’ available. In these tests amount of ketones produced by the body is estimated.

Increased thirst, dry mouth, frequent urination, and decreased hunger are the common symptoms faced when your body enters ketosis.

In-short
Ketosis is a metabolic state in which fat, instead of carbs is used as fuel by the body. There are certain tests and common symptoms to determine whether you have entered ketosis. Dietary modification and intermittent fasting are the most common ways for faster entry into ketosis.

D. Ketogenic diets can help you lose weight

The ketogenic diet is very effective for losing weight and it also lowers risk factors for disease. Many research shows that the ketogenic diet may be as effective as a 'low-fat diet’ for weight loss. The best part is that the diet is so filling that you can lose weight without counting calories or tracking your food intake.

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On a review of 13 studies, it was found that a very low carb diet was slightly more effective for long-term weight loss than a low-fat diet. People who followed the keto diet lost an average of 2 pounds (0.9 kg) more than the group that followed a low-fat diet. Besides that, it also led to reductions in ‘Diastolic blood pressure’ and ‘Triglyceride levels’.

Another study on 34 older adults found that those who followed a ketogenic diet for 8 weeks lost nearly five times as much total body fat as those who followed a low-fat diet. Increased ketones, lower blood sugar levels, and improved insulin sensitivity play a key role in achieving desired weight.

In-short
The ketogenic diet is slightly more effective as compared to a low-fat diet, for weight loss. And the best part is that you achieve this with less hunger.

E. Ketogenic diets for diabetes and prediabetes

Diabetes is a condition characterized by changes in metabolism, high blood sugar, and impaired ‘insulin function’. The ketogenic diet helps you losing fat, which is closely linked to type 2 diabetes, ‘prediabetes’, and ‘metabolic syndrome.

In an older study, it was found that a ketogenic diet improved insulin sensitivity by 75%.

In another study on women with type 2 diabetes, hemoglobin A1C level (a measure of long-term blood sugar management) was significantly reduced, after following a ketogenic diet for 90 days.

In a study of 349 types 2 diabetic people, it was found that following a ketogenic diet, they lost an average of 11.9 kg over a 2 year period. This is an important benefit when considering the link between weight and type 2 Diabetes.

Besides that, their blood sugar level was improved, and the use of certain blood sugar medications was also decreased throughout the course of the study.

In-short
A ketogenic diet can be beneficial in increasing insulin sensitivity and also in weight loss, leading to significant health benefits for people with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.

F. Other health benefits of the keto diet

The ketogenic diet, in fact, originated as a tool for the treatment of neurological diseases such as epilepsy. Based on studies, it can be said that this diet has a wide range of benefits for different health conditions:

a. Heart Disease

The ketogenic diet can decrease body fat, increase HDL i.e. good cholesterol levels, maintain blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Hence, can reduce risk factors of Heart disease.

b. Cancer

The ketogenic diet can slow down tumor growth. So, this is also used for the treatment of cancer nowadays.

c. Alzheimer’s disease

The keto diet may help reduce symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and slow its progression.

d. Epilepsy

There is a significant reduction in seizures in epileptic children when they were given a ketogenic diet.

e. Parkinson’s disease

According to one study, a ketogenic diet also improved the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

f. Polycystic ovary syndrome

As this diet decreases insulin level, very beneficial in polycystic ovary syndrome.

g. Brain injuries

Some studies show that the diet could improve outcomes of traumatic brain injuries.

h. Erectile dysfunction:

Some studies show that the keto diet could improve outcomes of erectile dysfunction.

Happy Couple

In-short
A ketogenic diet is very beneficial for health, especially with metabolic, neurological, or insulin-related diseases.

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A list of foods to eat and foods to avoid during a keto diet:

Nuts

**A comprehensive list of food that you can eat and avoid**
Foods To Eat	Foods To Avoid
Meat: Red Meat, Steak, Ham, Sausage, Bacon, Chicken, And Turkey	Sugary Foods: Soda, Fruit Juice, Smoothies, Cake, Ice Cream, Candy, Etc.
Fatty Fish: Salmon, Trout, Tuna, And Mackerel	Grains Or Starches: Wheat-Based Products, Rice, Pasta, Cereal, Etc.
Eggs: Pastured Or Omega-3 Whole Eggs	Fruit: All Fruit, Except Small Portions Of Berries Like Strawberries
Butter And Cream: Grass-Fed Butter And Heavy Cream	Beans Or Legumes: Peas, Kidney Beans, Lentils, Chickpeas, Etc.
Cheese: Unprocessed Cheeses Like Cheddar, Goat, Cream, Blue, Or Mozzarella	Root Vegetables And Tubers: Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Parsnips, Etc.
Nuts And Seeds: Almonds, Walnuts, Flaxseeds, Pumpkin Seeds, Chia Seeds, Etc.	Low Fat Or Diet Products: Low Fat Mayonnaise, Salad Dressings, And Condiments
Healthy Oils: Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, And Avocado Oil	Some Condiments Or Sauces: Barbecue Sauce, Honey Mustard, Teriyaki Sauce, Ketchup, Etc.
Avocados: Whole Avocados Or Freshly Made Guacamole	Unhealthy Fats: Processed Vegetable Oils, Mayonnaise, Etc.
Low Carb Veggies: Green Veggies, Tomatoes, Onions, Peppers, Etc.	Alcohol: Beer, Wine, Liquor, Mixed Drinks
Condiments: Salt, Pepper, Herbs, And Spices	Sugar-Free Diet Foods: Sugar-Free Candies, Syrups, Puddings, Sweeteners, Desserts, Etc.

In-short
Take a diet based on meat, fish, eggs, butter, nuts, healthy oils, avocados, and plenty of low-carb veggies.

Healthy keto snacks

Lists of some healthy keto snacks:

Olives
Fatty meat or fish
Cheese
Nuts or seeds
One or two hard-boiled eggs
90% dark chocolate
Smaller portions of leftover meals
Strawberries and plain cottage cheese

In-short
Meat, cheese, olives, boiled eggs, nuts, raw veggies, and dark chocolate can be taken as snacks during a keto diet.

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Keto tips and tricks

In the beginning, the keto diet can be challenging, given below are some tips to make this task easier:

First of all, you have to be familiar with food labels, so that you can check the grams of fat, carbs, and fiber to determine how your favorite foods can fit into your diet.
You can ‘plan your meals’, on weekends to save extra time throughout the week.
You can refer to various websites, food blogs, apps, and cookbooks for ketogenic recipes and meal ideas.
You can also get ‘healthy frozen keto meals’ available in the market, and prepare that when you have lesser time to cook.
You can carry your food while going to social gatherings or visiting family and friends. You can easily curb cravings and stick to your meal plan by doing so.

SUMMARY

Reading food labels, planning your meals, and bringing your own foods when visiting family and friends can make it much easier to stick to the ketogenic diet.

Tips for eating out on a ketogenic diet

a. You can have some kind of meat or fish-based dish, easily available in most of the restaurants.

b. Omelet or eggs and bacon are a great option. Egg-based meals are easily available.

c. You can also have bun-less burgers. You could also swap the fries for vegetables instead. Add extra avocado, cheese, bacon, or eggs.

d. In the dessert, you can have cheese board or berries with cream.

In-short
Select meat, fish, or egg-based dish, when eating out. Order extra veggies instead of carbs or starches, and order cheese for dessert.

Side effects and how to minimize them.

Normally, it is safe to go for a keto diet for healthy people, but in some conditions, there may be some initial side effects. There are some informal pieces of evidence of these effects, referred to as ‘keto flu. Based on some studies, these symptoms usually end within a few days.

The most common symptoms of keto flu are diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting. Some people also face symptoms like poor energy and mental function, increased hunger, sleep issues, nausea, and digestive discomfort.

To minimize the symptoms of keto flu, try a low-carb diet for few weeks in the beginning. By doing so, your body adapts to burn fat for energy needs before the carbs are eliminated from the body.

The proper balance of minerals and water in your body may also get disturbed when you go for a keto diet. So, adding salt to your meals or taking mineral supplements may be beneficial. Consult your doctor for your nutritional needs.

In the beginning, it is very important to eat until you are full, avoid restricting calories too much. Usually, there is weight loss following a keto diet, without intentional calorie restriction.

In-short
Most of the side effects started at the beginning of a keto diet can be limited. Easing into the diet and taking mineral supplements can help.

Risks of the keto diet

There are some negative effects of the keto diet from a trusted source.
Long term dependency on a keto diet may lead to:

low protein in the blood
extra fat in the liver
kidney stones
micronutrient deficiencies

Anyone taking medication ‘sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2)’, inhibitors for type 2 diabetes, should avoid the keto diet. This increases the risk for diabetic ketoacidosis, a dangerous condition that increases blood acidity.

SGLT-2 Inhibitors are available in the Indian Market for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Forxiga (Dapagliflozin)

Invokana (Canagliflozin)

Jardiance (Empagliflozin)

Always inform your doctor about your eating plan and your food choices. For the safe intake of the keto diet for a long time, much research is being done.

In-short

Always contact your doctor in case of any kind of side effects originating from the keto diet, if you are on the diet for the long term.

Supplements for a ketogenic diet

Although no supplements are required, some can be useful. Usually, there is no requirement for supplements during a keto diet, some can be useful.

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**Lists of supplements required during the keto diet plan**
Sr. No.	Items	Benefits
1	MCT oil	provides energy and helps increase ketone levels.
2	Minerals	helps to maintain water and mineral balance
3	Caffeine	have benefits for energy, fat loss, and performance
4	Exogenous Ketones	may help raise the body’s ketone levels
5	Creatine	Can help you if you are combining a keto diet with exercise
6	Whey	Use half scoop to increase your protein intake

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In-short
Some supplements can be beneficial for you during a keto diet. These include MCT oil, minerals, exogenous ketones, creatine, and whey.

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The Ketogenic Diet - An Authentic Tool For Weight Loss