Why Keto May Not Be The Answer For You
If you’ve ever tried to lose weight or adopt a healthier approach to your lifestyle and eating habits, then you’ve probably heard of the ‘Keto Diet’.
This diet, which causes the body to burn fat instead of glucose for energy, has seen a huge spike in popularity over the last few years.
What is the Ketogenic Diet?
The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carb diet that puts your body in a fat-burning state known as ketosis. In ketosis, your body can more readily burn fat, rather than carbohydrates, for fuel1.
Since carbs are your body’s preferred energy source, burning fat on the keto diet relies on removing or significantly reducing carbs2. By cutting out carbohydrates and eating a diet high in healthy fats, the body’s metabolism is altered.
Once in ketosis, the liver converts fatty acids into ‘ketones’ which become the body’s new source of energy.
Why is Keto so Popular?
Weight loss is the primary reason why many people take up a ketogenic diet.
There is also strong supportive evidence that ketogenic diets can be effective in the treatment of epilepsy, type 2 diabetes, acne, PCOS, and cardiovascular disease.
Ketogenic diets have even been linked to improvements in HDL cholesterol levels, blood pressure, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol4.
Why Keto isn’t for Everyone
As with any diet, Keto should be discussed with your doctor before starting, and even then, it is not recommended for extended periods.
This type of diet is not appropriate for people with the following issues/conditions:
Diabetes
Kidney disease
Pancreatic, liver or kidney problems
Hypoglycaemia
Eating disorders
Healthy Alternatives to Keto
Personalised nutrition advice and professional support can go a long way in helping individuals achieve their health and weight loss goals.
As a naturopath and herbalist, I tailor meal plans for the needs of the individual, taking into account energy and lifestyle requirements, age and life stage, and existing health challenges.
Nutritional supplements and herbal blends can also be provided for a comprehensive approach to health and wellness.
Custom meal plans may help to:
Manage portion control
Lose weight
Increase muscle
Support healthy eating
Simplify eating for allergies
Save time
Save money
Avoid food waste
Learn more about Naturopath Approved Meal Planning
References:
Perfectketo.com, ‘How to start a keto diet: the ultimate sart-up guide’, ‘Section: What is the ketogenic diet?’<https://perfectketo.com/guide/ultimate-start-guide-ketogenic-diet/>
Perfectketo.com, ‘How to start a keto diet: the ultimate sart-up guide’, ‘Section: What is the ketogenic diet? <https://perfectketo.com/guide/ultimate-start-guide-ketogenic-diet/>
Paoli. A, et al, 2013, ‘Beyond weight loss: a review of the therapeutic uses of very-low-carbohydrate (ketogenic) diets’, European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol, 67, 789-796, pp 790-791 <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3826507/pdf/ejcn2013116a.pdf>
Perfectketo.com, ‘How to start a keto diet: the ultimate sart-up guide’, ‘Section: What is the ketogenic diet? <https://perfectketo.com/guide/ultimate-start-guide-ketogenic-diet/>
Ketogenicgirl.com, ‘Who should not follow a keto diet’, <https://www.ketogenicgirl.com/pages/who-should-not-follow-a-keto-diet>