“Ketogenic diet” this eating plan is all about minimizing the body carbs and focusing on the body fats. This basically means eating/consuming no more than 50 gms of carbs a day. This diet is based on the principle that by depleting the body of carbohydrates, which are its primary source of energy, you can force the body to burn fat for fuel, thereby maximizing weight loss. When you consume foods that contain carbohydrates, the body converts those carbohydrates into glucose, or blood sugar, which it then uses for energy.
According to researchers, the keto diet doesn’t help you lose weight, it helps the people who suffer from seizure disorders. It eventually encourages our body to burn fat, which means we can end up with pretty dramatic weight loss.
PROCESS
Basically, carbohydrates are the primary source of energy production in body tissues. When the body is deprived of carbohydrates due to reducing intake to less than 50g per day, insulin secretion is significantly reduced and the body enters a catabolic state. Glycogen stores deplete, forcing the body to go through certain metabolic changes. Two metabolic processes come into action when there is low carbohydrate availability in body tissues: gluconeogenesis and ketogenesis.
Carbs are the main source of energy for our bodies. Without enough carbs for energy, the body breaks down fat into ketones. The ketones then become the primary source of fuel for the body. Ketones provide energy for the heart, kidneys, and other muscles. The body also uses ketones as an alternative energy source for the brain. Hence, the name for this eating pattern. There are many types of keto diets, followed by different people as per their body type. This diet might have some serious long term effects on health too.
Short term health risks include flu-like symptoms. For example, upset stomach, headache, fatigue, and dizzy spells. This is called the “keto flu.” Some people also report trouble sleeping. Long-term health risks of the keto diet include kidney stones, liver disease, and deficiencies of vitamins and minerals. To limit carbs, many nutrient-rich vegetables and fruits are cut out. Therefore, if you see any negative symptoms developing, one should stop following the plan.
