Risks of the Keto Diet

A keto diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate eating plan that can help you lose weight. It also lowers blood glucose levels and improves insulin sensitivity. But it is important to know the risks before starting the Keto Diet.

The keto diet gained popularity after being shown to reduce seizures in children with epilepsy, but now it’s being touted as a way to lose weight and improve overall health. It is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that eliminates most starchy foods and legumes, but allows small amounts of low-carb vegetables. The goal is to get the body into a state of nutritional ketosis, which is achieved by limiting carbohydrates to less than 50 grams per day.

During this process, the liver breaks down fat into fatty acids and glycerol, which are then used as fuel for the brain and other cells. This process produces a hormone called leptin, which is thought to suppress hunger. The diet may also lower triglycerides and LDL cholesterol and raise HDL.

Research shows the Keto diet significantly improves blood sugar and triglyceride levels, as well as reduces inflammation and increases protein production in the muscles. It is one of the few diets that can actually reverse diabetes in some patients by lowering HbA1c levels and decreasing the amount of insulin needed.

The keto diet is not for everyone, especially if you have a history of heart disease, kidney disease, or mental illness. It’s also not recommended for pregnant women, and people with autoimmune conditions should avoid it.