Why Use A Keto Diet?

Should You Keto?

To Keto or not to Keto? That is the question. Keto was first popularized by Dr. Atkins in 1972. I was involved in writing his later books "Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution" and "Atkins For Life".

Today the Keto revolution has flourished and many folks have tried a Keto diet for weight loss.

So, should you Keto too?

Keto is a term describing a diet or group of foods and products that help the body produce ketones. When you eat limited amounts of carbohydrates; it triggers the liver to produce ketones and burn body fat as an energy source instead of glucose. You are then in a natural state of ketosis.

A Keto diet is a high-fat diet that contains 50 grams or less of carbohydrates a day. This means you cannot eat sugar, starch or most carbohydrates. The allowable carbohydrates are salad and non-starchy vegetables, whole-fat cheese, nuts and seeds, lemon or avocado.

A Keto diet is a metabolically corrective diet. Research has shown its safety and effectiveness for weight loss, anti-aging, sports performance, and for optimizing health.

Foods and products have been created to help people stay in ketosis. These Keto-friendly foods can help you maintain a healthy Keto lifestyle. However, if these commercially made products are over-consumed, they can be detrimental to eating balanced meals negatively affecting your goals.

Burning Ketones For Health

When you are in keto mode, the liver produces a healthy range of ketones based on your goal (1).

Conditions	Ketone Range (mmol/L)
Weight & Fat Loss	0.5-1.3
Blood Sugar Management	0.5-1.3
Exercise Performance	0.5-1.3
Mental Clarity	0.5-1.3
Neurological Disease	0.5-1.3
Epilepsy	3-6
Cancer Focus on Blood Glucose	3-4
Cancer Focus on Ketones	3-6

Ketones can be measured with urine strips, breath meters, and blood strips. Blood ketones are the most accurate way to measure fat burning. Dr. Dominic D'agostino tweets, "The Keto Mojo Ketone Meter has proven its accuracy in measuring Ketones and glucose. It is also an affordable alternative ($1/strip) to Abbott's Precision Xtra and Freestyle Optimum Neo".

If you follow a ketogenic diet and are not attaining high levels of ketones, do not fret. Ketones, like the scale, can be a deceptive tool. Ketosis is affected by hormones including high insulin levels, water intake, and certain medications. If you are sticking to a Keto plan it's possible to lose weight or manage blood sugar without registering ketones.

Keto For Good Health

A Ketogenic diet is a healthy eating plan. Although the Keto diet is an extremely popular weight loss diet, it offers many health benefits. In addition to feeling satisfied, when you eat keto, you experience lower risks for:

Heart disease;
High blood pressure;
Low blood sugar;
High blood sugar;
Metabolic syndrome;
Insulin disorders (such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, PCOS);
Certain types of cancer;
Alzheimer's disease;
Epilepsy;
Mood disorders;
Thyroid;
Yeast or candida overgrowth
Bowel diseases;
Reflux;
Gas and Bloating;
Fatty liver;
Kidney disease;
Kidney stones;
Gout;
Normalized blood sugar;
Decrease inappetite;
Reduced acne;
Reduced heartburn;
Migraines;
Sleep disorders;
Low Energy.

Plus, with a ketogenic diet, you can improve your ability to manage and reverse these health risks.

A Keto Diet Controls Type 1 & 2 Diabetes

With Type 1 and 2 Diabetes, the main problem is the body’s ability to manage blood sugar levels. For people with Type 1 Insulin-Dependent Diabetes, insulin isn’t produced in the body.

In the past, it was controversial to use a ketogenic diet because of the risk of ketoacidosis (KA). KA is excessively high and dangerous levels of ketones that build-up in the blood; it can lead to death. However, Dr. Richard Bernstein lives a healthy lifestyle with Type 1 Diabetes while following a keto diet, Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution².

The reason a Ketogenic is better to control blood sugar for type 1 diabetes is due to the variability of the absorption of carbohydrates and insulin.

A Keto Diet Helps Treat Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a common problem caused by hormonal imbalance and high insulin levels in women. It effects one in eight women of child-bearing age. Women with PCOS may notice these symptoms; irregular menstrual cycles, facial hair, skin tags, and weight gain, darkening of the skin, acne, and thinning hair⁴.

Eating carbohydrates raise insulin levels. High insulin levels contributes to worsening PCOS symptoms. With a Keto diet, insulin levels are lowered.

A 2005 scientific study shows the effects of ketogenic diet on 11 women diagnosed with PCOS. These women were asked to limit their carb intake to less than 20 grams per day for 24 weeks. The results showed that a keto diet is very effective in reversing hormonal issues and high sugar levels in PCOS women. Two women even became pregnant despite having a history of infertility⁵.

A Keto Diet Fights Epilepsy Better Than Drugs

In a study, measuring the effects of a keto diet in 150 children with epilepsy, researchers found very promising results. The quality of life of these children significantly improved. Twenty were completely cured. Twenty-one reported 90% fewer seizures. The remaining volunteers were able to lower or live without the need for medication. The researchers concluded that the Keto diet is more effective than any anti-epileptic drugs currently on the market⁶.

A Keto Diet Limits Cancer Cell Growth

Some cancer cells use glucose as the main energy source to grow and multiply. For these types of cancers, a strict keto diet is deadly as the diet cuts off the ability of the cancer to use glucose as a means to thrive and grow. In this instance a ketogenic diet can be life-saving for the patient⁷.

A Keto Diet Lowers Risk of Heart Disease

We grew up believing that fats clog our arteries and contribute to heart disease. But recent research has proven otherwise. Carbohydrates elevate triglycerides. Healthy natural fats reduce cholesterol risk. In a six month study, a keto diet lowered triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, glucose and raised HDL cholesterol. Lowering these heart disease risk factors supports the use of a keto diet for heart disease⁸.

Keto Wrap-Up

Do you suffer from any of the conditions above? Excess carbohydrate consumption triggers hormones and fats that negatively affect health. Going Keto can help you lose weight and improve your health. It is so effective, please speak with your doctor to help manage lowering medications as necessary.

If you interested in learning more search my blog or schedule a personal or group appointment today.