Brain and Body: The Health Benefits of a Ketogenic Diet

Brain and Body: The Health Benefits of a Ketogenic Diet

  If you are trying to manage your weight, surely you have heard of the keto or ketogenic diet. This type of diet restricts your carbohydrate intake to a minimum, therefore inducing ketosis in your body. Ketosis is a naturally occurring or inducible state in which your body burns fats to gain energy from, rather than carbs. The resulting products are called ketones, which your body uses as energy units. This is supposed to aid faster weight loss. However, many first-timers have doubts about the effectiveness and health benefits of being on a keto diet. Be assured that the benefits of keto are backed by scientific studies. Read on to find out more!

Benefits of ketogenic diets

 

• Weight loss

  Most people turn to keto for weight loss, and it has been demonstrated to be at least twice as effective as low-fat diets in reducing weight. It takes more effort to turn fat to energy, which is why the rate of weight loss is increased. Additionally, keto diets reduce your appetite, which stops you from feeling hungry and giving up. It is especially useful in reducing visceral fat that accumulates in the abdominal region.   

• Acne control

  Many factors can cause acne, including diets high in processed and refined carbohydrates. This alters gut flora and causes sugar fluctuations which degrade skin health. By reducing carb intake, the keto diet can help with clearing acne.  

• Reduced cancer risk

  Keto diets have been shown to protect against certain types of cancer. This is because they cause more oxidative stress in cancerous cells rather than normal cells. As a result, keto diets are often suggested as complementary treatments for chemotherapy.  

• Improved heart health

  Keto diets, when followed correctly, regulate the amount of cholesterol in your body. Levels of HDL “good” cholesterol increase, and those of LDL “bad” cholesterol decrease. This helps boost your heart health, keeping your blood pressure regulated.  

• Protection of brain function

  Some preliminary studies show that ketogenic diets have neuroprotective benefits.  Ketones can cross the blood-brain barrier, and therefore provide energy to the brain. This has been shown to help treat and prevent Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and sleep disorders.  

• Reduction of epileptic seizures

  Perhaps the most impressive of all the benefits of ketogenic diets is the reduction of epileptic seizures. Over half of all children who start a ketogenic diet show reduced seizures, and about 15% of them become seizure-free.

Risks of ketogenic diets

Although keto diets are great, there are some risks if they are not followed correctly. Immediate side effects include constipation, sluggishness, and low blood sugar. Therefore, you need expert advice on how to implement lifestyle changes. And we’re here just to do that.

What do we do?

We provide fitness coaching and a comprehensive approach to body wellness to make you feel healthier. To do this, we offer meal delivery services, customized weight goal programs, creating diet plans and mentoring. We also assess your health to make sure you don’t suffer from side-effects. Get in touch with us today and take a step towards a healthier lifestyle!