Fad diets are perhaps the ultimate go to for when embarking on the weight loss journey. However, only a few turn out to be effective. Since these do not target well the dietary issues leading to the weight gain problem to being with, hence they just offer a temporary respite from the surplus weight.
Moreover, weight loss with fad diets turns out to be short lived dream with a terrible nightmare in the end; not does the lost weight return very soon, but it comes with few extra pounds as well. However, this does not deter people who are eager for instant gratification.
One such very popular fad diet is the ketogenic diet.
What is the keto diet?
The basic principle of keto diet is decreased carbohydrate. Naturally, when the body is not given its basic fuel, it makes adjustments for meeting its glucose requirements. This is then done by burning the fat in the body. Ketogenic diet therefore entails taking 75% of your calories from fats, around 20% from proteins and only 5% are to come from carbohydrates.
Another reason for keto’s effectiveness is that it also suppresses diet. Unlike other fad diets that involve a lot of starvation, keto just naturally gives satiety, so it is easier for people to curb their food intake.
However, it is not an easy journey. Keto diet is a little technical diet whereby people have to ensure that what they are eating will not end up adversely affecting them. This is especially important for diabetics who need to maintain their blood sugar level. Experts hence suggest talking to your primary doctor or the top internal medicine specialist in Islamabad before committing to this diet.
The good that comes from keto
No sugar!
Sugar is not good for the body; the increased inflammation that it results in poses all sorts of health risks. From relatively innocuous problems like acne to terminal conditions like cancer, sugar is your worst enemy.
Moreover, it also causes insulin sensitivity problems in the body that lead to diabetes as well. All these sugar-induced issues are catered to by keto diet.
Good way to lose weight
Keto is an effective way to lose the excess weight, especially for obese people. Also, as so many people are wary of physical activity, keto allows for losing the excess weight without killing yourself in the gym.
Helps prevent certain diseases
The lack of processed food and dangerous sugar prevents conditions like diabetes, atherosclerosis etc. Keto is also helpful in managing Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) as well. Women who have this condition have a harder time losing weight, hence, keto has two-pronged benefits for the patients.
Ketogenic diet is also great for people suffering from epilepsy and other conditions that cause seizures. It also helps prevent certain types of cancers as well.
Good for your brain
As more good fats are consumed in this diet, keto is good for the brain. Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids are found abundantly in this diet from sources like olive oil, nuts etc., thus better cognitive functioning is observed in keto.
Moreover, ketogenic diet also prevents brain diseases like Parkinson’s disease, bipolar disorder, dementia as well.
The flip side of keto
Fad diet phenomenon
With any fad diet, the effect is almost always short lived. Unless you sustain the weight for which you will need to work out and reassess lifestyle choices, you will gain the weight back.
Moreover, keto is rather hard to observe. As the body is in ketosis, there are no cheat days. Which means it is a lot of commitment which not everyone is able to do.
Hard on the kidneys, heart and liver
Keto diet is rather hard on the important organs of the body. It overwhelms the kidneys with the protein intake. Moreover, this diet also encourages the formation of kidney stones and is not at all safe for people already suffering from kidney problems.
Also, it can possibly jeopardize heart health as well. If the quality of fat in the diet is not strictly observed, it can lead to increment in the levels of bad cholesterol in the body and the subsequent complications can ensue.
Liver processes all the fat in the body, and the consumption of such large amounts of fat can potentially overwhelm it as well.
May lead to constipation
Fiber is crucial for the proper working of the digestive system, and there is inadequate consumption of it in during the diet, which leads to problems like constipation.
Chronic constipation causes other health issues like hemorrhoids, abdominal pain, bloating etc. which may then entail a visit to the Internal medicine specialist in Islamabad. Suffice to say, keto brings the good with the bad, and decision about it should be made by weighing the merits against the demerits.
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