Gone are the days when a healthy diet referred to a balanced food pyramid. Food scientists, nutritionists, and dietitians are now teaming up with healthcare experts and focusing on treating individual illnesses. This is leading to uniquely designed diets playing a critical role in the treatment and healing process.

The ketogenic diet, or keto diet, in short, is a diet high in fat and protein. It is a low-carbohydrate model that was developed specifically as a therapeutic diet to treat epilepsy, especially in young children but was found to be favorable in other ways as well. It substantially helps meet weight loss goals, prevents the acceleration of certain types of cancer, and hinders the progress of neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s, autism, and Parkinson’s disease. The diet has also proven beneficial for some diabetes patients.

When carbohydrate consumption is reduced, the body enters a metabolic state called ketosis and burns up fat to produce energy. This process converts fat into ketones that not only fuel brain functioning but also protect the brain cells from damage. This significantly reduces the frequency of epileptic seizures, for which this diet was originally conceived. Here are some key facts for following a keto diet:

1. Keto benefits

• For weight loss, this diet is reasonably effective, especially in the initial stages. Since it requires more calories to convert proteins and fats into energy than it does to convert carbohydrates, weight loss is an immediate consequence.
• In the case of cancer, a keto diet helps reduce the insulin levels produced and used by the body. Inadequate levels of insulin, the hormone that controls blood sugar, helps in depriving cancer cells that thrive on sugar and inhibits their growth.
• Reducing the intake of carbohydrates directly leads to the reduction of both acne and the risk of heart diseases.
• Athletes participating in anaerobic activities comprising short exertion and high-intensity movements benefit from a keto diet.

2. Foods to eat and avoid
This diet eliminates starchy root vegetables, certain fruits, rice, bread, pasta, legumes, sugar, artificial sauces, dips, and dressings. On the other hand, the consumption of fatty foods like heavy cream, cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, coconut oil, olive oil, butter, ghee, lard, mayonnaise, nuts, seafood, eggs, spices, and some vegetables is increased.

3. Potential side effects
As the blood sugar and insulin levels are reduced sharply, probable side effects could include high cholesterol, constipation, fatigue, decelerated growth patterns, indigestion, acidosis or excessive levels of acid in the body, causing heartburn or nausea and kidney stones.
Also, for heart condition, high blood pressure, and Type 1 diabetes patients, switching to and from a keto diet must be done carefully. This is because an increase in the number of ketones can make diabetics feel sick and might affect the kidney in obese people or those who suffer from other medical conditions.

A keto diet is unlike other diet formulations that people can try on their own. On the contrary, this healing nutritional therapy must first be evaluated for safety by every individual attempting it. This diet ought to be strictly followed under the guidance of healthcare experts.