Learning More About the Keto Diet

There has been a lot of recent hype around the ketogenic diet but in fact, ketogenesis has been used for over 100 years to treat patients with uncontrollable epileptic seizures. Only recently has the ketogenic diet gained enough credibility within the scientific community for its safe and effective applications to manage chronic health conditions including high cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes.  A ketogenic diet in conjunction with intermittent fasting consists of very low carbohydrates, moderate protein, and high-fat intake within specific time frames to achieve optimal levels of ketosis, or fat-burning potential.

The body’s primary source of energy is glucose and the goal of ketosis is to train the body to switch from glycogenesis (breakdown of glucose) to lipolysis (breakdown of fats) which involves several complex metabolic pathways and allows the body to utilize stored fat as its primary energy source. As a byproduct, the body releases ketones into the urine and bloodstream, which are made in the liver from the breakdown of fats. Ketones can be detected using urine strips such as ketostix to confirm whether or not a person is truly in ketosis. There are several variations of the ketogenic diet so it is a good idea to research the different options and choose one that best suits your lifestyle. Although ketogenesis is considered generally safe, people with diabetes are at higher risk for ketoacidosis, a potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. Always consult with your physician before starting any new diet plan.

References

UCSF, (2018). Diabetes Education Online. Retrieved from https://dtc.ucsf.edu/types-of-diabetes/type2/understanding-type-2-diabetes/…

Acott, Heather (2018). Keto Report. Will Everyone Benefit From the Ketogenic Diet? Retrieved from https://www.ketoreport.org/keto-information/will-everyone-benefit-ketogenic…