Ketogenic diet refers to an LCHF (low carb-high fat) diet which helps to produce ketones that can be utilized as energy. While sticking to this diet, our body goes into a natural process known as ketosis due to low intake of carbs. A keto diet actually starves our body of carbohydrates (not calories) and thus forces our system into metabolism. The nutritional value of the keto diet can be broken down into 75% fat, 25% protein, and 5% carbohydrates. In the following paragraphs, we have thrown some light on the top 6 benefits that we can expect from a keto diet.
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1. Helps in weight loss
Our body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose. While consuming a high carb diet, our insulin levels become high following any meal which helps to break down the glucose thus providing us with energy and also restoring the blood sugar levels to almost normal. As a matter of fact, being essentially a fat storing hormone, a high level of insulin will force our system to store fat. However, in case of a keto diet, this excess fat is going to be used as energy rather than carbohydrates. The process of ketosis commences when our system adapts to a lower intake of carbohydrates and starts burning fat so as to get energy. Consuming very few carbs will never allow the insulin levels to become excessively high thus reducing fat storage to a great extent.
2. Improves blood sugar levels
At present many of us are suffering from elevated levels of blood sugar that can lead to type II diabetes. However, it will be possible to maintain normal blood sugar levels by staying away from carbs while consuming our food items. In fact, it has been shown by clinical studies that a keto diet will help to increase our insulin and blood sugar levels significantly and in one particular study, approximately 95% of type II diabetics got rid of their conditions within only 6 months of starting a ketogenic diet.
3. Reduces blood pressure
High blood pressure can lead to heart disease in the long run. It is likewise associated with a number of other conditions including kidney failure as well as strokes. Fortunately, a low-carb keto diet will prove to be useful when it comes to reducing BP levels thus minimizing our risk of developing cardiovascular ailments to a great extent.
4. Reduces appetite
Anybody who wants to lose weight must be familiar with the relentless hunger pangs which plague him or her every now and then. However, a ketogenic diet will allow you to shed pounds successfully without feeling hungry at all. It has been shown by research that there has been an automatic reduction in appetite for those individuals who ingest a low-carb and high fat keto diet on a regular basis. Fueling up proteins and fats and avoiding carbs will allow us to consume less calories each day without any effort at all.
5. Prevents cancer
Keto diets have been connected with a reduction in the symptoms of malignancy over the years. Since ketones are not compatible with the cancer cells, the mutated cells eventually die because of lack of access to resources. On the contrary, a high carb diet will provide the cancer cells with all the resources they require for surviving.
6. Fights neurological disorders
It has been observed that keto diets are able to cure kids suffering from epilepsy. Patients struggling with schizophrenia can likewise be benefited from keto diet which will help to normalize their pathophysiological processes that might lead to symptoms like hallucinations, unpredictable behavior or lack of restraint.