8 Unique Benefits Of The Keto Diet [Besides Weight Loss]
Last Updated January 25, 2019 By Emily Raines
Ketogenic or keto diet is one of the low-carbohydrate diets that has gained popularity in recent years due to its fast and effective weight loss.
The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, adequate-protein, low-carbohydrate diet that has its many health benefits. Because this diet entails consuming fewer carbohydrates so the body will reach its ketosis or the metabolic state where it burns fat for energy. While there have been claims of side effects particularly in kidney damages, this diet has been medically used to help treat patients with various illnesses.
Ketogenic diets are commonly considered to be a useful tool for weight control and many studies suggest that they could be more effective than low-fat diets.
Our hunger and cravings are the culprits in how we determine our appetite. A low carb diet automatically reduces the appetite because you are consuming more protein and fat. Because of the high satisfying effect of proteins, the diet causes a reduction on the hormones that control your appetite. Hence, acting as a kind of appetite suppressant.
Helps Treat And Prevent Cardiovascular Disease
Keto diet is being used in the treatment of obesity and cardiovascular diseases. It reduces the triglycerides and blood pressure level and increases the production of good cholesterol.
It’s A Good Diet For Those With Type 2 Diabetes
A low-carb diet such a keto can help people with type 2 diabetes keep the glucose at a low but healthy level at the same time, reducing insulin or blood sugar levels. However, getting into this diet has a drastic effect on the insulin and glucose level, so better consult your physician first before changing your diet.
Keto diet is being used in the treatment of obesity and cardiovascular diseases. It reduces the triglycerides and blood pressure level and increases the production of good cholesterol.
It’s A Good Diet For Those With Type 2 Diabetes
A low-carb diet such a keto can help people with type 2 diabetes keep the glucose at a low but healthy level at the same time, reducing insulin or blood sugar levels. However, getting into this diet has a drastic effect on the insulin and glucose level, so better consult your physician first before changing your diet.
It May Help Prevent Acne
While there are food types that aids in the development of acne, there is also food that prevents it from growing. Because keto decreases your glucose level, you might find this surprising that apart from weight loss it can actually improve the quality of your skin.
Aids In Reducing The Risk Of Cancer
There have been recent studies that keto diet slows down tumor growth. One study suggests that insulin inhibition caused by a ketogenic diet could be a feasible adjunctive treatment for patients with cancer. Through glucose ‘starvation’ of tumor cells and by reducing the effect of direct insulin-related actions on cell growth, ketogenic diets show promise as an aid in at least some kind of cancer therapy.
It Aids In Normalizing Ovulation And Lowers The Symptoms Of Women With PCOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a problem with hormones that affects women during their childbearing years (15 to 44 years old). It is a common endocrine disorder in females, with symptoms that include hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, obesity, insulin resistance, and subfertility. Because keto helps reduce insulin levels, it can decrease the symptoms of PCOS.
Therapeutic Utilization For Brain Injury
Recent studies suggest that because of its metabolic process, keto diet aids in the recovery of brain injuries and trauma.
Treatment Of Parkinson’s And Alzheimer’s Disease
Keto diet is also being used to treat and reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.
In these disorders, the ketogenic diet appears to be neuroprotective, promoting enhanced mitochondrial function and rescuing adenosine triphosphate production.
Treatment of epilepsy
The use of keto diet to treat patients especially children suffering from epilepsy has been going on for quite some time. Since 1920, the ketogenic diet has been recognized as an effective tool in the treatment of severe childhood epilepsy. Recent researches demonstrated improvements in many risk factors, such as weight, saturated fats, inflammation, and other biomarkers, as a consequence of consuming well-formulated low-carbohydrate diets, and this work should encourage continued close examination of its therapeutic value.
The ketogenic diet has proven many benefits in the medical field. Because of its low-carb diet quality, diseases and disorders that need control of blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol is being prevented. As for its many health benefits, you might want to consult your nutritionist if this is the right diet for you.
References:
Balen, Adam, and Kathy Michelmore. "What is polycystic ovary syndrome? Are national views important?." Human reproduction 17.9 (2002): 2219-2227.
Paoli, Antonio, et al. "Beyond weight loss: a review of the therapeutic uses of very-low-carbohydrate (ketogenic) diets." European journal of clinical nutrition 67.8 (2013): 789.
Johnstone, Alexandra M., et al. "Effects of a high-protein ketogenic diet on hunger, appetite, and weight loss in obese men feeding ad libitum–." The American journal of clinical nutrition 87.1 (2008): 44-55.
Barañano, K.W. & Hartman, A.L. Curr Treat Options Neurol (2008) 10: 410. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11940-008-0043-8
Johnstone, Horgan, et al. “Effects of a high-protein ketogenic diet on hunger, appetite, and weight loss in obese men feeding ad libitum.” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 87.1 (2008), 44–55, https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/87.1.44
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-benefits-of-low-carb-ketogenic-diets#section11
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ketogenic-diet-101#other-benefits
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16180224
Balen, Adam, and Kathy Michelmore. "What is polycystic ovary syndrome? Are national views important?." Human reproduction 17.9 (2002): 2219-2227.
Paoli, Antonio, et al. "Beyond weight loss: a review of the therapeutic uses of very-low-carbohydrate (ketogenic) diets." European journal of clinical nutrition 67.8 (2013): 789.
Johnstone, Alexandra M., et al. "Effects of a high-protein ketogenic diet on hunger, appetite, and weight loss in obese men feeding ad libitum–." The American journal of clinical nutrition 87.1 (2008): 44-55.
Barañano, K.W. & Hartman, A.L. Curr Treat Options Neurol (2008) 10: 410. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11940-008-0043-8
Johnstone, Horgan, et al. “Effects of a high-protein ketogenic diet on hunger, appetite, and weight loss in obese men feeding ad libitum.” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 87.1 (2008), 44–55, https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/87.1.44
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-benefits-of-low-carb-ketogenic-diets#section11
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ketogenic-diet-101#other-benefits
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16180224
You May Also Like...
Everything You've Ever Wanted To Know About Detox Water
The Story Of One Mans Extreme, Yet Effective Intermittent Fasting Diet