The "ketogenic diet" is the latest fad diet - and it is everywhere. I'm here to tell you to please STOP because you are harming your body. So called "Health Experts" will try to sell you books and products claiming the miracle benefits of this diet.
It's advertised as a weight-loss wonder, but this eating plan is actually a medical diet that comes with serious risks. OBVIOUSLY, IF YOU STOP EATING CARBS, YOU WILL LOSE WEIGHT... but at what cost?
"Ketosis" forces your body into using a different type of fuel. Instead of relying on glucose that comes from carbohydrates (such as grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruits), the keto diet relies on ketone bodies, a type of fuel that the liver produces from stored fat.
Burning fat seems like an ideal way to lose pounds. But getting the liver to make ketone bodies is tricky:
It requires that you deprive yourself of carbohydrates, fewer than 20 to 50 grams of carbs per day (keep in mind that a medium-sized banana has about 27 grams of carbs).
It typically takes a few days to reach a state of ketosis.
Eating too much protein can actually interfere with ketosis!
Saturated fats from oils (palm, coconut), lard, butter, and cocoa butter are encouraged in high amounts.
I have probably said this 1,000 times... COCONUT OIL IS TERRIBLE FOR YOU!
You can apply it topically! Just don't eat it! Sorry Dr. Oz...
A ketogenic diet has numerous risks.
Saturated fats should be less than 7% of your daily calories because of the link to heart disease.
Keto diet is associated with an increase in "bad" LDL cholesterol, which is also linked to heart disease.
Other potential keto risks include these:
Nutrient deficiency. If you're not eating a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, and grains, you may be at risk for deficiencies in micronutrients, including selenium, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamins B and C
Liver problems. With so much fat to metabolize, the diet could make any existing liver conditions worse.
Kidney problems. The kidneys help metabolize protein, and the keto diet may overload them. You only need to consume roughly half your body weight in grams of protein to build lean muscle! (ie: 160lbs = 80 grams of protein)
Unless you are diabetic and obese, I would never recommend this.
Another fad diet debunked courtesy of The Fitness Doctor!
www.thefitnessdoctors.com