Benefits Of Keto Diet: Secret To A Healthy Life
- Vipin Kumar
- October 25, 2023
- Health
The Keto diet has become somewhat famous in recent years as there are many benefits of the Keto diet. Many people adopt a Keto diet to get rid of excess fat and live healthy lives. Keto Diet is a diet in which you increase the consumption of healthy fats while decreasing the consumption of carbs and protein.
The aim of the diet is to deplete the sugar reserves in the body so that the body starts burning fat to get the required energy. This can only happen when the carb intake is at a bare minimum. Many people recommend diets in the name of Keto which are actually not Keto. This is why we decided to explain what is a Keto diet, what are the benefits of Keto diet and why we should try the Keto diet.
What Is A Keto Or Ketogenic Diet?
The Ketogenic diet is a low-protein, low-carb, high-fat eating plan that promotes your body to enter ketosis, the process of burning fat in the absence of glucose. Although it came into prominence in recent years, it has been around for almost a hundred years now. Earlier it was used to treat patients with epilepsy. A Keto diet basically reduces the carb intake which in turn forces our body to burn fat rather than consuming carbs to get the energy it needs.
What Is Ketosis?
Your body prefers to burn carbohydrates for energy but when there is a shortage of carbohydrates, the body starts burning fat. When using fat for energy, our liver converts fat into a compound called ketones. This process is known as Ketosis and it is very important to get rid of the fat. A good Keto diet helps us increase Ketosis and get rid of excess fat and is one of the most significant benefits of keto diet.
Benefits Of A Keto Diet
A Keto diet has many benefits for all types of people. The main health benefits are as follows:
1. Promotes Weight Loss
One of the major benefits of Keto diet is its weight loss capabilities. As we mentioned above, people following a Keto diet are susceptible to losing fat as the body of a person on a Keto diet burns more fat than carbs. On top of that, Keto diet is also associated with a high metabolism and reduced appetite. According to the research performed on the matter, Keto has a marginal effect on weight loss.
2. Reduces Appetite
Evidence suggests that following a Keto diet may result in reduced appetite. According to the 2019 Journal Of Clinical Lipidology, the reduction in appetite happens due to a shift in hunger hormones like Ghrelin and Leptin as well as insulin. A Keto diet usually contains foods that fill you up fast hence the reduction in hunger hormones.
3. Blood Sugar Control
One of the benefits of Keto diet is low blood sugar levels. Consuming less carbohydrates also has an effect on your liver, fewer carbohydrates lead to your pancreas producing less insulin which can control your blood sugar. Kito diet can be beneficial to prediabetic, insulin resistant or diabetic people.
4. Low Triglycerides
Triglycerides are a form of fat that is present in the blood and is responsible for causing heart attacks and strokes. After following a Keto diet for 6 to 12 months, 0ne can experience low blood pressure which can be a clear sign of the reduction in triglycerides.
5. Improves The Symptoms Of PCOS
PCOS or Polycystic ovary Syndrome, is a hormonal disorder that leads to excess male hormones like testosterone. A diet that is even moderate in carbs can have adverse effects on the patient which can make their condition worse and can cause skin problems and weight gain. Although there are not many clinical studies to link PCOS with the benefits of Keto diet, a study conducted in 2005 examined the symptoms of 5 women for the duration of 24 weeks. The study found that the Keto diet improved PCOS symptoms by reducing weight, hormonal imbalance and levels of fasting insulin.
6. Helps Reduce Acne
A study conducted in 2012 states that one of the benefits of Keto diet is that it helps reduce acne. Consumption of processed carbohydrates can cause the blood sugar level to fluctuate which can be a reason for Acne and other skin problems. Eating a Keto diet cuts the carbohydrates and maintains blood sugar levels which in turn results in reduced acne and skin problems.
Final Thoughts
There are many benefits of Keto diet but it is recommended that before starting a Keto diet, consult your doctor to know if you have any medical condition that might render your Keto diet useless or harmful.
Also, keep in mind that there is a shortage of studies on the long-term effects of a Keto diet, so it’s highly recommended that if you start a Keto diet, you should take breaks frequently.