Keto is the big buzzword around all fitness circles right now. You've heard about it on Reddit, you've heard it being praised on Pinterest, and you've probably watched countless
BuzzFeed videos detailing people's Keto experience. And there's a good reason why! There is an ongoing
obesity epidemic in America that doesn't seem to be slowing down. Despite the vast information out there about healthy diets and healthy living—people continue to make dietary choices that are bad for them.
The Keto Diet seems to be an antidote to this obesity epidemic, but how exactly does it work at making people healthier? Why are doctors and fitness experts recommending Keto as the ultimate lifestyle choice? In this article, we break it down.
Can Prevent Morbid Obesity:
Although various studies have shown the short-term benefits of a ketogenic diet in losing weight—does it have equally beneficial long-term results that help ward off morbid obesity? Fortunately, yes!
Eating too much refined carbs full of sugar and starch is one of the main causes of obesity and diabetes, and the Keto diet calls for minimizing (if not eliminating altogether) the consumption of these refined carbs. Because of that, being on a keto diet has been shown to reduce your body mass index as well as body weight. Moreover, it can help reduce the level of triglycerides, blood glucose and LDL cholesterol. What's more—being on a ketogenic diet for a relatively longer period of time has not shown to produce any significant negative side effects on participants who are trying to combat morbid obesity through this lifestyle change.
Can Lead To Quicker Metabolism:
When the average person eats, their body breaks down carbs into glucose to be used as energy. Here, carbs are providing the main fuel source for the body. When the body doesn’t have enough glucose for energy, it burns stored fats instead in a metabolic process called ketosis. Being in a state of ketosis results in a build-up of acids called ketones in the body. These ketones are then used, instead of carbohydrates, to provide the body with a constant source of energy.
This way, being in ketosis enables you to
literally shift your metabolism to burn unwanted fat by helping the body to rely on fat for energy, rather than carbohydrates. This change in metabolism will soon be visible on your body!
Helps Maintain Muscle Mass:
There’s a common misconception in the bodybuilding world that one needs carbs to build muscle. Does this mean you can’t
successfully build muscle on keto? Certainly not! Turns out, this high-carb bodybuilding myth is outdated. In fact, the keto diet can help increase strength and build muscle, while also
minimizing fat gain.
The longer you stay in ketosis, the more efficient your metabolism gets at burning ketones for energy, and the better your workouts will get. This means that once you’re fully adapted to your keto routine—your body will maintain muscle mass even when you’re burning through stored fat.
Can Prevent Type 2 Diabetes:
A ketogenic diet has successfully helped people manage their blood sugar, and even reversed
diabetes in some cases. This is because being in ketosis severely restricts carbohydrates, which when consumed in large quantities, spikes glucose levels in the body and can cause type 2 diabetes. Ketosis forces the body to break down fats for energy, and this
helps people with type 2 diabetes because it allows their body to maintain glucose levels at a low yet healthy level. At the same time, it can help prevent the disease as well since it basically cuts the source of someone eating too many carbs in the first place that can bring on type 2 diabetes.
Can Reduce The Risk Of Heart Disease
The Keto Diet has been shown to cause a significant
reduction in the risk of heart disease. This is because being in ketosis causes a
reduction in blood triglycerides, which are fat molecules that circulate in your bloodstream. Having high levels of triglycerides are a strong heart disease risk factor.
When people cut down on eating refined carbs, they also experience a significant reduction in blood triglycerides—hence reducing the risk of heart disease significantly.
For more information on the benefits of the keto diet, check out this podcast on Brain Education TV by
Dr. Reed Tuckson, a leading voice in healthcare and medicine. He outlines how to maintain a healthy body, mind, and spirit with the keto diet.