A keto diet is well known for being a low carb diet, where the body produces ketones in the liver to be used as energy. It’s referred to as many different names – ketogenic diet, low carb diet, low carb high fat (LCHF), etc. When you eat something high in carbs, your body will produce glucose and insulin. Glucose is the easiest molecule for your body to convert and use as energy, so it will be chosen over any other energy source.
Insulin is produced to process the glucose in your bloodsteam, by taking it around the body. Since the glucose is being used as a primary energy, your fats are not needed, and are therefore stored. Typically on a normal, higher carbohydrate diet, the body will use glucose as the main form of energy.
By lowering the intake of carbs, the body is induced into a state known as ketosis. Ketosis is a natural process the body initiates to help us survive when food intake is low. During this state, we produce ketones, which are produced from the breakdown of fats in the liver.
The end goal of a properly maintained keto diet is to force your body into this metabolic state. We don’t do this through starvation of calories, but through starvation of carbohydrates. Our bodies are extremely adaptive to what you put into it – when you overload it with fats and take away carbohydrates, it will begin to burn ketones as the main energy source.
Benefits of a Keto Diet
Cholesterol. A keto diet has shown to improve triglyceride levels and cholesterol levels most associated with arterial buildup.
Weight Loss. As your body is burning fat as the main source of energy, you will essentially be using your fat stores as an energy source while in a fasting state.
Blood Sugar. Many studies show the decrease of LDL cholesterol over time and have shown to eliminate ailments such as type 2 diabetes.
Energy. By giving your body a better and more reliable energy source, you will feel more energized during the day. Fats are shown to be the most effective molecule to burn as fuel.
Hunger. Fat is naturally more satisfying and ends up leaving us in a satiated (“full”) state for longer.
Acne. Recent studies have shown a drop in acne lesions and skin inflammation over 12 weeks.
Dangers of a Keto Diet
There are a lot of misconceptions about low carb dieting which has caused an infamous outlook on this type of diet. There’s been tons of studies published over the last 30 years that show how high amounts of fat and low amount of carbs are beneficial.
People normally get this confused with high fat and high carb diets, which are terrible for the body. Of course when you eat a lot of fatty foods that are high in sugar, you’ll be getting yourself in trouble.
Thinking of going on a low fat diet? It’s been shown that a ketogenic diet is healthier AND more effective than low fat dieting. When you eat foods high in carbohydrates, your body naturally produces glucose. Carbohydrates are the easiest thing for the body to process, and therefore it will use them first – resulting in the excess fats to be stored immediately. In turn, this causes weight gain and health problems that are associated with high fat AND high carbohydrate diets, NOT a keto diet.
As a precaution, you should always check with your physician if you have any concerns about starting a keto diet. You should especially be weary if your family has any pre-existing kidney or diabetic conditions – as the higher intake of proteins will put strain on your kidneys.
High cholesterol, high blood sugar, and heart disease is not something you need to worry about. High fat, low carb diets are well-known and documented for their improvements in cholesterol, blood sugars, and reduction of heart disease.
What Happens To My Body
Ketosis Headache Your body is used to the simple routine of breaking down carbohydrates and using them as energy. Over time the body has built up an arsenal of enzymes ready for this process, and only has a few enzymes for dealing with fats – mostly to store them.
All of a sudden your body has to deal with the lack of glucose and increase in fats, which means building up a new supply of enzymes.
As your body becomes induced into a ketogenic state, your body will naturally use what’s left of your glucose. This means your body will be depleted of all glycogen in the muscles – which can cause a lack of energy, and a general lethargy. In the first few weeks, many people report:
- Headaches
- Mental fogginess
- Flu-like symptoms (known as the “keto-flu”)
- Dizziness
- Aggravation
Yep, it’s pretty much a week of PMS for everyone!
Most of the time, this is the result of your electrolytes being flushed out, as ketosis has a diuretic effect. Make sure you drink plenty of water and keep your sodium intake up. In fact, you should go overboard with the salt – salt EVERYTHING! This will help with water retention, and help replenish the electrolytes.
For a normal person that is starting a ketogenic diet, eating 25-40g of net carbs a day, the total adaptation process will take about 2 – 3 weeks.
You may notice that if you’re an avid gym goer, you lost some strength and endurance. This is normal. Once your body becomes keto-adapted, your body will be able to fully utilize the fats as its primary source of energy. Many studies done have shown that there is no long term drop in performance for professional athletes on a very low carb ketogenic diet. Many also report more energy at sustainable levels throughout the day.
How is Ideal Protein different from other high protein diets on the market?
The Ideal Protein weight loss method treats weight issues at its source. By the time you reach your weight loss goal, you will have transformed your body’s ability to metabolize sugar by re-educating your pancreas to produce only the right amount of insulin needed. The Ideal Protein weight loss method aims to reduce carbohydrates and fats, not protein. This allow the body to preserve muscle tissue and protects vital organs to secure their proper function. You will lose fat, not muscle.
Each Ideal Protein food contains up to 20 grams of protein per portion, twice as much as many competitors. In addition, each food features a high biological protein, complete with 8 essential amino acids which recreates 100% of the biological value of a complete protein for maximum assimilation and absorption. Each Ideal Protein food is low in saturated fats, has no trans fats, aspartame, Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) or Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).
Why does Ideal Protein work?
The Ideal Protein program is a four-phase fully coached weight loss program. We are here to help you through every part of losing weight and to help you in keeping it off!
Every week you will meet with your weight loss coach to go over the prior week and plan for the next week. Your weight, measurements and body composition will be done at each weekly appointment at no charge. You will get your next weeks worth of food and supplies at your weekly visits. You are welcome to stop in during office hours to pick up products as well. Our office is set up as a store also to make it as easy as possibly for you to succeed!
Our program is monitored because as your body improves its health and as the weight comes off you will need to reevaluate the medications you may be taking. We will work together with your primary care physician in determining this.
The Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method is based on creating nutritional ketosis in the body, where the body stops using its glycogen (sugar stores) and uses fat for energy. The liver produces ketones from the breakdown of fat which is then used by the body for energy. This is done by reducing the carbohydrate intake to very specific amount and then providing the body with an adequate amount of protein in order to maintain lean muscle mass.
This Ideal Protein program has a beginning and end. Carbohydrates are not the enemy, rather certain combinations of foods that we will coach you on. When you are finished with this program you will be able to enjoy all foods again!
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2 responses to “What is a Ketogenic diet?”
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Hi Edgardo – Thank you! You are welcome to use our content as long as we are mentioned and a link to our blog is provided.