The Keto diet is popular, but is this low-carb diet Good for You?
By Nmami Agarwal 25-Aug 2021 Reading Time: 4 Mins
Well, we all know about this ever -rending Keto diet, don’t we? The Keto diet is a high-fat, adequate-protein, and low-carbohydrate diet that is used mainly to treat hard-to-control epilepsy in children. This diet makes the body burn more fats rather than carbohydrates. But nowadays, it is catching everyone’s attention due to its high efficiency in burning body fats and helping people to lose weight more easily. Keto diets are chosen by many but it has its harmful side effects on the body like it could cause low blood pressure, kidney stones, constipation, nutrient deficiencies and an increased risk of heart disease. But with all this the question still prevails, is it good for you or not? Let’s find out the answer to this question in this article today.
Keto Diets. Yay or nay?
There are many controversies over decades on low-carb keto diets. Some people assure that these diets raise cholesterol levels and cause heart disease due to their high amount of fat content. Strict diets like keto could also cause social isolation or disturbed eating patterns. It is also not safe for those with any conditions involving their pancreas, liver or gallbladder. Someone new to the keto diet can also experience ‘Keto flu’ with symptoms like upset stomach, dizziness, decreased energy, low blood sugar levels, headaches, low tolerance for exercise and mood swings caused when your body is adapting to ketosis.
Keto diets have proven to be beneficial in certain cases. Keto diets consist of foods that add high satiety to the person and may reduce hunger-stimulating hormones in the body. For this reason, following a keto diet may reduce appetite and promote weight loss. Also, it shows to improve heart health, helps in reducing seizures, improves PCOS symptoms, brain injuries, and may improve brain function.
However, this diet is not realistic or sustainable. Oftentimes weight gain may come back, and you will gain more than what you lost. The diet restricts the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy that can help with long term weight loss and overall health. A keto diet restricts the intake of carbohydrates. However, some carbohydrates provide health benefits. For a more realistic dietary approach, people should consume a diet that includes a variety of nutrient-rich and fibrous carbohydrates, such as fruits and vegetables, alongside nutritious protein sources, and healthful fats.
Over to You:
People looking to start the keto diet should seek consultation with a doctor or a dietician to ensure that the keto diet is a safe eating pattern according to their health conditions.