When you
hear about the ketogenic diet, the first thing you perhaps think of is what
could possibly make it as good as people say. The answer is, there are enough
benefits to change your life.
What exactly is a ketogenic diet?
The keto
program recommends a diet that is low on carbs, moderate on protein and high in
fat. The idea is to fine-tune nutritional intake in order to send the body into
the metabolic state known as ketosis.
The body
enters a state of ketosis when it no longer has stores of glycogen sugar to
fuel its energy needs. With sugar out of the way, the body has no choice but to
tap its stores of fat to get by. The liver converts fat reserves into ketones
to present to the body as an energy source. This is why the keto program is a
good way to lose fat.
7 benefits of the keto diet
Unlike
other diets that offer practitioners a weight loss benefit and little else, the
keto diet comes with several benefits.
Weight loss
Without a
doubt, weight loss is the primary goal of the keto diet. It works because it
makes the body look to its fat reserves to power its metabolism. It can be
interesting to go deeper into the process, however.
When the
body is deprived of carbs, it enters a state of ketosis. Blood sugar and insulin
levels fall when that happens. As the body taps the energy in fat cells, they
release considerable quantities of water, making for some great weight loss.
The fat cells are then able to enter the bloodstream and make their way to the
liver, where they are turned into ketones for energy processing. As long as
your diet allows you to stay in a caloric deficit, you get to enjoy the weight
loss benefits of the keto diet.
It takes the edge off your appetite
When your
diet isn't heavy on carbs, you'll find that you don't crave as much food as
before. Many people who get on the keto diet are able to fast most of the day,
and only eat at mealtimes. They are simply not as hungry as before.
Improved ability to focus
When you
choose a regular diet that puts carbs into the body, your brain has to deal
with the rise and fall in sugar levels that happens as a result. Inconsistent
energy levels can make it hard for the brain to focus. With the keto diet,
however, the energy source is constant and consistent. The brain is better able
to stay focused.
You feel more energetic
When you
are on a regular diet, your body is always on the verge of running out of
energy. You need to constantly eat and refuel. With a keto diet, however, the
body taps its fat reserves, a nearly unending energy source. The body, then, is
able to maintain constant energy levels throughout the day. The result is, you
end up feeling a lot more energetic.
It helps you fight diabetes
When you
suffer from Type II diabetes, your body experiences high levels of insulin.
Since the keto diet takes excess sugar from your diet, it helps stabilize HbA1c
counts, and reverse Type II diabetes.
You get improved levels of good
cholesterol
HDL
cholesterol helps get rid of the body's bad cholesterol reserves. When you're
on keto, your body's triglyceride levels fall and your HDL cholesterol levels
rise.
You get better blood pressure
When
you're on the keto diet, it drops your blood pressure. Many people on the keto
diet find that they are able to stop taking blood pressure medicine altogether.
The keto
diet can change a person's life. It isn't a difficult diet to get on, either.
There are plenty of great recipes for the keto diet. All it takes is the
willingness to give it a shot.
