There is a vast number of diet regimens that claim to trim down your figure. Many of these techniques emphasize reducing and limiting your carbohydrate intake, which has become a staple for many slimming courses. One of the increasingly popular diets nowadays is the ketogenic diet. This diet focuses on a high-fat and low-carb intake to help you burn more calories than usual. Before you take on the road towards a lean and clean lifestyle, you must first understand the pros and cons of keto diet. Read further to know more.

Keto Diet: What You Need to Know

A ketogenic diet, or what they call the keto diet, is a controversial yet highly chosen diet regimen. Its rise to fame became the season’s hot topic because of its exceptional weight-loss benefits. According to this dentist in Kellyville, healthy food is crucial for overall health. People who are on a keto are basically on a healthy low-carb diet. Unlike other dietary regimens, a keto diet encourages a daily shift in the levels of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, balancing out your system.

Fats play a crucial role in a keto diet. On a single daily food intake, more than half of your meals must come from fats. The remaining quarter of it comes from proteins, and only a small amount will be for carbohydrates.

The main goal of a ketogenic diet is to initiate ketosis. Ketosis is a metabolic state wherein your body uses excess fats for energy. Your body will enter ketosis after five days of shifting your daily intake of proteins, fats, and carbs. Once it does, your body will start to produce energy that encourages you to lose weight.

Pros and Cons of Keto Diet

Pros

• Protects your brain.

Historically, dieticians developed a ketogenic diet for children with epilepsy. A keto diet controls your brain and neurons, which reduces the occurrence of seizures. After some time, scientists have learned that there are more beneficial properties of a keto diet relating to the brain. It can improve sensory and motor function, prevent Alzheimer’s disease and enhance neurovascular abilities.

• Controls blood sugar.

A keto diet can help improve your blood sugar levels while lowering your need for insulin. Because a keto diet involves a shift from a low-carb diet to a moderate-carb diet, you are less likely to experience a spike in your blood sugar levels.

• Promotes weight loss.

Many people use the keto diet because of its promising effects on weight loss. The reduction of sugar and carbohydrate intake causes your body to lose weight even in the early stages of your diet. If you are struggling with obesity or want to get rid of your extra weight, the keto diet is a stable yet fast way to strip off those excess pounds.

• Prevents cancer.

During a keto diet, you have a low intake of carbohydrates, allowing only tiny amounts of free glucose as energy. Since cancer cells thrive with glucose, there will be a significant reduction in tumor growth.

Cons 

• High cholesterol.

The principle of the keto diet relies on fats. Consuming too many fats can lead to high cholesterol levels regardless of whether it is saturated fat or trans-fat. Having an increase in your cholesterol levels can put your body at a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases. Before you consider a keto diet, it is essential to have your doctor check your cholesterol levels.

• Nutrient deficiencies.

Since the keto diet uses calories from fats, your body will absorb fewer vitamins and minerals. Eliminating whole foods and other essential nutrients can cause deficiencies. Fortunately, several over-the-counter supplements can help you maintain a sufficient amount of these nutrients. Ask your dietician for suitable options.

• Keto flu.

Drastically cutting down on your carbohydrate intake may cause you to experience keto flu. Keto flu is a common side effect that you can often experience when you start a restrictive diet. Several keto flu symptoms include headache, nausea, trouble focusing, constipation, fatigue, and irritability.

Wrapping It Up

If you want to know if a keto diet is for you, all you need to do is give it a try. While it is essential to note the pros and cons, you must remember that there is not a single diet that will work for everyone. You can achieve satisfaction once you take pleasure in the keys of a holistic lifestyle from your mind, body, and soul.