When you use the ketogenic diet, your body becomes more fat burning. Numerous research has linked the consumption of increased amounts of carbohydrates to the development of several disorders such as diabetes and insulin resistance.
By nature, carbohydrates are easily absorbable and therefore the body can store them easily. Carbohydrate digestion begins the moment you put it in your mouth.
Once you start chewing it, the enzymes in your saliva are already working to digest the food containing carbohydrates. And in the stomach, carbohydrates are further broken down. When it enters the small intestine, it is then absorbed into the bloodstream. Upon reaching the bloodstream, carbohydrates generally increase the blood sugar level.
This increase in blood sugar level stimulates the immediate release of insulin into the bloodstream. The higher the increase in blood sugar levels, the more insulin is released.
Insulin is a hormone that causes excess sugar to be removed from the bloodstream in order to lower the blood sugar level. Insulin takes the sugar and carbohydrates you eat and stores it either as glycogen in muscle tissue or fat in adipose tissue for future use as energy.
However, the body can develop what is known as insulin resistance when it is constantly exposed to such high amounts of glucose in the bloodstream. This scenario can easily cause obesity as the body tends to store any excess amount of glucose quickly. It can also produce health conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
The keto diet is low in carbohydrates and high in fat and has been linked to reducing and improving many health conditions.
One of the most important things the keto diet does is stabilize insulin levels and restore leptin signaling. The lower amounts of insulin in the bloodstream allow you to feel full for a longer period of time and also reduce cravings.
Medicinal benefits of the ketogenic diet
The keto diet is often indicated as part of a treatment plan for a number of medical conditions.
Epilepsy
This is the main reason for the development of the ketogenic diet. For some reason, the rate of epileptic seizures decreases when patients are on the keto diet.
Childhood epilepsy is the most responsive to the keto diet. There are children who have had seizures after a few years of using the keto diet.
Children with epilepsy are generally expected to fast for a few days before starting a ketogenic diet as part of their treatment.
Cancer
Research indicates that the therapeutic efficacy of the ketogenic diet against tumor growth can be enhanced when combined with certain medications and procedures according to the "pressure pulse" model.
It is also promising to note that the ketogenic diet prompts the cancer cell to recover. This means that the keto diet "starves cancer" to reduce symptoms.
Alzheimer's disease
There are several indications that memory functions in Alzheimer's patients improve after following the keto diet.
Ketones are a great source of alternative energy for the brain, especially when it becomes insulin resistant. Ketones also provide substrates (cholesterol) that help repair damaged nerve cells and membranes. All of these help improve memory and cognition in Alzheimer's patients.
Diabetic
It is generally agreed that carbohydrates are the main cause of diabetes. Therefore, by reducing the amount of carbohydrates eaten using the keto diet, there are increased chances of improving glycemic control.
Also, combining the keto diet with other diabetes treatment plans can improve their overall effectiveness.
Gluten sensitivity
Many individuals with gluten sensitivity are not diagnosed with this condition. However, following a ketogenic diet has shown improvement in related symptoms such as digestive discomforts and bloating.
Most foods rich in carbohydrates are high in gluten. Thus, by using the keto diet, a lot of gluten consumption is reduced to a minimum due to the elimination of a large variety of carbohydrates.
Weight loss
This is arguably the most common "intentional" use of the keto diet today. She has found a niche in the mainstream diet trend. The keto diet has become a part of many dieting regimens due to its well-recognized side effects for aiding weight loss.
Although many initially offended, the increasing number of positive weight loss results has helped ketogenic adopt a better weight loss master program.
Besides the medical benefits mentioned above, ketogenic diets also provide some general health benefits which include the following.
By nature, carbohydrates are easily absorbable and therefore the body can store them easily. Carbohydrate digestion begins the moment you put it in your mouth.
Once you start chewing it, the enzymes in your saliva are already working to digest the food containing carbohydrates. And in the stomach, carbohydrates are further broken down. When it enters the small intestine, it is then absorbed into the bloodstream. Upon reaching the bloodstream, carbohydrates generally increase the blood sugar level.
This increase in blood sugar level stimulates the immediate release of insulin into the bloodstream. The higher the increase in blood sugar levels, the more insulin is released.
Insulin is a hormone that causes excess sugar to be removed from the bloodstream in order to lower the blood sugar level. Insulin takes the sugar and carbohydrates you eat and stores it either as glycogen in muscle tissue or fat in adipose tissue for future use as energy.
However, the body can develop what is known as insulin resistance when it is constantly exposed to such high amounts of glucose in the bloodstream. This scenario can easily cause obesity as the body tends to store any excess amount of glucose quickly. It can also produce health conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
The keto diet is low in carbohydrates and high in fat and has been linked to reducing and improving many health conditions.
One of the most important things the keto diet does is stabilize insulin levels and restore leptin signaling. The lower amounts of insulin in the bloodstream allow you to feel full for a longer period of time and also reduce cravings.
Medicinal benefits of the ketogenic diet
The keto diet is often indicated as part of a treatment plan for a number of medical conditions.
Epilepsy
This is the main reason for the development of the ketogenic diet. For some reason, the rate of epileptic seizures decreases when patients are on the keto diet.
Childhood epilepsy is the most responsive to the keto diet. There are children who have had seizures after a few years of using the keto diet.
Children with epilepsy are generally expected to fast for a few days before starting a ketogenic diet as part of their treatment.
Cancer
Research indicates that the therapeutic efficacy of the ketogenic diet against tumor growth can be enhanced when combined with certain medications and procedures according to the "pressure pulse" model.
It is also promising to note that the ketogenic diet prompts the cancer cell to recover. This means that the keto diet "starves cancer" to reduce symptoms.
Alzheimer's disease
There are several indications that memory functions in Alzheimer's patients improve after following the keto diet.
Ketones are a great source of alternative energy for the brain, especially when it becomes insulin resistant. Ketones also provide substrates (cholesterol) that help repair damaged nerve cells and membranes. All of these help improve memory and cognition in Alzheimer's patients.
Diabetic
It is generally agreed that carbohydrates are the main cause of diabetes. Therefore, by reducing the amount of carbohydrates eaten using the keto diet, there are increased chances of improving glycemic control.
Also, combining the keto diet with other diabetes treatment plans can improve their overall effectiveness.
Gluten sensitivity
Many individuals with gluten sensitivity are not diagnosed with this condition. However, following a ketogenic diet has shown improvement in related symptoms such as digestive discomforts and bloating.
Most foods rich in carbohydrates are high in gluten. Thus, by using the keto diet, a lot of gluten consumption is reduced to a minimum due to the elimination of a large variety of carbohydrates.
Weight loss
This is arguably the most common "intentional" use of the keto diet today. She has found a niche in the mainstream diet trend. The keto diet has become a part of many dieting regimens due to its well-recognized side effects for aiding weight loss.
Although many initially offended, the increasing number of positive weight loss results has helped ketogenic adopt a better weight loss master program.
Besides the medical benefits mentioned above, ketogenic diets also provide some general health benefits which include the following.
Improve insulin sensitivity
This is clearly the number one goal of the ketogenic diet. It helps stabilize insulin levels and thus improve fat burning.
Muscle preservation
Since protein is oxidized, it helps maintain lean muscle. The loss of lean muscle mass slows down an individual's metabolism because muscle in general is highly metabolised. Using the keto diet actually helps maintain your muscles while your body burns fat.
pH control and respiratory function
The Ketok diet helps reduce lactate and thus improves pH and respiratory function. The state of ketosis thus helps maintain the pH of the blood at a healthy level.
Improving the immune system
Using a ketogenic diet helps fight aging antioxidants while reducing gut inflammation, making your immune system stronger.
Low cholesterol levels
Consuming fewer carbohydrates while on the keto diet helps reduce cholesterol levels. This is due to an increased state of lipolysis. This leads to a decrease in the levels of harmful cholesterol and an increase in the levels of HDL cholesterol.
Lack of appetite and cravings
Following a ketogenic diet helps you reduce your appetite and cravings for foods rich in calories. When you start eating healthy, satisfying, and wholesome foods high in fat, feelings of hunger will naturally begin to decrease.
This is clearly the number one goal of the ketogenic diet. It helps stabilize insulin levels and thus improve fat burning.
Muscle preservation
Since protein is oxidized, it helps maintain lean muscle. The loss of lean muscle mass slows down an individual's metabolism because muscle in general is highly metabolised. Using the keto diet actually helps maintain your muscles while your body burns fat.
pH control and respiratory function
The Ketok diet helps reduce lactate and thus improves pH and respiratory function. The state of ketosis thus helps maintain the pH of the blood at a healthy level.
Improving the immune system
Using a ketogenic diet helps fight aging antioxidants while reducing gut inflammation, making your immune system stronger.
Low cholesterol levels
Consuming fewer carbohydrates while on the keto diet helps reduce cholesterol levels. This is due to an increased state of lipolysis. This leads to a decrease in the levels of harmful cholesterol and an increase in the levels of HDL cholesterol.
Lack of appetite and cravings
Following a ketogenic diet helps you reduce your appetite and cravings for foods rich in calories. When you start eating healthy, satisfying, and wholesome foods high in fat, feelings of hunger will naturally begin to decrease.
