A brief description of Keto diet

 

Keto diet:

How does this diet work:

The establishment of the keto diet is if glucose (the simplest form of carbohydrate as well as the main source of energy in every animal) is deprived, which is gained by consuming carbs. The ketones are a substitution of glucose, which is synthesized from stored fat. Hence, the name is ketogenic. The neurocytes (The brain cells) need glucose approximately 120 grams per day because these cells cannot store glucose. When a person is fasting or consumes very little carbohydrates, at first the body pulls glucose from the liver and muscle glycogen. Glycogen breaks down from the liver and muscle into glucose through glycogenolysis by the influence of the hormone glucagon. During this time the level of insulin gets decreased in the blood. The body starts utilizing fat as its primary fuel.

When formed ketone bodies begin to accumulate in the organs as well as in the blood, the condition is called ketosis. Mild ketosis is usually experienced by every healthy human being during the fasting period (like during sleeping) and heavy exercise (for athletes). The supporters of the keto diet proved that if the diet is maintained carefully the levels of ketone in the blood should not show any harmful effects. This condition of the blood is called ketoacidosis. The brain cells also use ketones as fuel. The healthy individuals will generally produce enough insulin to prevent the formation of excessive glucose. The rate of the formation and the accumulation of ketone bodies varies from one person to another and is dependent on many types of factors.

Therapeutic benefits:

1)         50% of epilepsy patients follow the keto diet and they observe their improvement of themselves. They use a 4:1 keto diet. This diet provides 4 times as much fat as protein-rich foods and carbohydrate combination.

2)         People with diabetes who also follow the ketogenic diet experience impressive reductions in blood sugar levels. This applies to both types of diabetes (type I and type II diabetes). Some research studies indicate that a very low-content carbs diet helps to regulate blood sugar levels and also gives other helpful health impacts. In a 4-month survey, 17-21 people (who followed the keto diet) were able to decrease their regular dosage for diabetes and were able to reduce their waist size, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.

3)         The deficiency of the enzyme involved in storing glucose (like glycogenesis) is called GSD. There are different types of GSD. GSD type III affects the liver and muscles of the patients. The GSD type III is known as Forbes-Cori disease. The keto diet helps to reduce the symptoms of GSD.

4)         PCOS is a disease caused by abnormal hormonal balance or hormonal dysfunction. PCOS leads to irregular menstruation and infertility. In a 24-week survey of 11 women who were suffering from PCOS following a keto diet chart, 12% of weight loss was observed on average. Fasting insulin is also decreased by 54% and an improvement in the reproductive hormone levels is observed. Not only that, two women suffering from infertility became pregnant.

Dietary composition:

High fat content: 55-60%

Moderate amounts of protein content: 30-35%

Very low carbohydrate content: 5-10%.

This diet is suitable for patients with epilepsy, diabetes, and PCOS.