What Does Keto Mean?

Keto is short for ketogenic, which means “low carb, high fat.” It is a popular diet for treating epilepsy, and is also used in treating children with epilepsy. In short, a ketogenic diet forces the body to burn fats for fuel. However, there are risks. It has been linked to increased LDL levels and reduced brain function, and there are alternatives to this diet.

Low carbohydrate, high fat diet

For decades, the mainstream scientific community has supported a high carbohydrate, low fat (LCHF) diet for health benefits. This includes most countries, which have issued dietary guidelines for reducing dietary fat and increasing starch and fiber. This approach has led to a gradual increase in the percentage of carbohydrates in the diet, at the expense of fat. Yet, overweight and obesity rates have risen worldwide in parallel with cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

While the LCHF diet improves glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes, more research is needed to confirm its benefits in this disease type. To date, there is only one prospective study comparing a low carbohydrate, high fat diet to standard care in individuals with type 2 diabetes. This study is the first to assess the effects of a low carbohydrate, high fat (LCHF) diet on glycemic control in a community-based setting.

Increased LDL levels

While the Keto diet can increase LDL levels, some people do not experience a spike. This may be because the diet consists of more saturated fats, which are known to increase LDL levels. However, the increase may be temporary and will settle down after a few weeks. According to a study presented at the American College of Cardiology annual meeting in New Orleans, a patient on a Keto diet is at increased risk for atrial fibrillation, a heart attack.

Various studies have shown that dietary fats can reduce the risk of heart disease. Eating nuts and seeds contains monounsaturated fats that lower LDL levels. Eating two servings of nuts per day can reduce LDL levels by 7%. However, a moderate or liberal low-carb diet may be more beneficial for some people. It is important to note that it is important to eat foods rich in fiber, not refined sugar.

One way to determine whether you are at risk for heart disease is to check your total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio. This ratio is the most accurate indicator of your risk for heart disease. The ideal ratio should be between three and four.

Effects on brain function

A ketogenic diet improves cognitive function in a number of ways. It reduces the amount of glucose the brain receives from the blood and allows it to run on other fuels, such as lactate and pyruvate. However, the lack of glucose drastically reduces the amount of energy available to the brain. Although the body has mechanisms in place to compensate for this shortage, the brain doesn’t have the same amount of energy to process information. This deficiency is often manifested in the form of brain fog.

Ketones are produced by the liver, which allows the brain to utilize fat stores to produce energy. Because they do not require insulin, ketones provide the brain with additional energy. In fact, ketones may meet up to 70% of the brain’s energy requirements. Ketones have been shown to improve the functioning of the brain, which has a huge impact on health and well-being.

While it is not completely clear how a ketogenic diet could improve the brain, the evidence suggests that it may boost energy and memory. It has been shown that ketones improve cognitive function, while exercise may improve the way the brain processes memory. Those with Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease may benefit from a ketogenic diet. Regardless of whether a ketogenic diet improves brain function, it is important to remember that it is not a cure for disease.

Alternatives

Keto is an ideal diet for those looking for a healthier way of eating, but it is very difficult. For those who are struggling to stick to the diet, there are some great alternatives to keto that you can try. Many of these alternatives are similar to the popular Paleo Diet, which focuses on foods that our ancestors ate. This includes meat, fish, eggs, nuts, and vegetables.

from Ketone Blog https://ketone2013.com/what-does-keto-mean-14/
via Keto News