Are you considering a ketogenic diet? There are several amazing benefits of ketosis that you may not even know about.
There are many different diets out there. Some focus on clean eating, or cutting out certain food groups or types, limiting your intake of certain foods, or simply counting calories. Ketogenic diets have become more popular lately, as people see the benefits of ketosis.
Maybe you're familiar with ketogenic diets or ketosis, or perhaps you've only heard the words but don't know what they mean. Read on for an explanation of what ketogenic diets entail, the benefits of ketosis, and how you can successfully follow a ketogenic diet.
What Exactly Is A Ketogenic Diet and Ketosis?
A ketogenic, or keto diet, is low in carbs. When you consume high carb foods, your body produces insulin and glucose. Glucose is used as energy and is the easiest substance for your body to convert and use as energy. Because of this, your body will use glucose for energy rather than the fats in your system. By using the glucose, the fats are not needed, so they are stored, causing weight gain.
When you reduce the number of carbs that you eat, the body is pushed into a state of ketosis, which is the process that our bodies use when food intake is low. During ketosis, the body produces ketones. Ketones are produced when the liver breaks down fats.
By overloading our body with fats and removing carbs, ketones are used as the main energy source. Some of the benefits of ketosis include weight loss, physical performance benefits, appetite suppression, and benefits to medical conditions including cancer and PCOS.
10 Benefits of Ketosis
The benefits of a keto diet are numerous, including improvements in mental and physical functioning, weight loss, and a number of benefits for diseases such as diabetes, neurological disorders, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease.
Weight Loss
Many people who follow a keto diet experience weight loss during the first week of the diet. Although this is usually water weight, seeing quick results may keep you motivated.
When you are eating low carb, your body starts burning stored fats for energy, since it is not getting energy from carbohydrates. By limiting your carb intake, your insulin levels are low and your fat storage is reduced. Ketosis can also cause an increase in the metabolic rate of your body's fats.
Belly Fat Loss
Much of the fat that is burned when the body is in ketosis is visceral fat, which typically accumulates in your abdominal area. By reducing our carbs and forcing our bodies into ketosis, our belly fat will decrease as it is burned and used for energy.
Reducing belly fat isn't just good for your appearance. It also can be a benefit to your health. Many health issues are caused by excessive belly fat.
Reduced Cravings and Appetite Suppression
Chances are that you have been on a diet before that left you starving and always counting down the hours until your next meal. One of the big benefits of ketosis is that eating low carb leads to a reduction in your appetite.
Diets high in carbs and sugar often increase your cravings and hunger levels. By eating a diet high in fat and protein, your cravings will subside and your body will use the fat you are eating as your energy. This also helps contribute to your weight loss, as you will be less tempted to snack and overindulge.
Reduced Insulin Levels
When you cut carbs and your body doesn't need as much insulin, the insulin levels in your blood decrease, making it easier to manage insulin levels. People with type-2 diabetes are able to reverse it by following a keto diet.
In a study of type-2 diabetics who followed a keto diet, researchers found that over 95% of them reduced or eliminated their medication within 6 months.
Improve Cholesterol and Cardiovascular Health
HDL, or the "good" cholesterol, often increases when you are on a low carb diet. Increases in HDL and decreases in LDL improve your cardiovascular health.
Lowering triglycerides also improves cardiovascular health. Since the triglycerides to HDL ratio is a strong predictor of heart disease, the higher it is, the more at risk of heart disease you are.
Improved Concentration and Mental Functioning
Another benefit of ketosis is an improvement in your concentration and cognitive functioning. People on a keto diet report that they have better concentration, have less "brain fog", and are better able to focus on specific tasks.
Minimize Metabolic Syndrome Symptoms
Metabolic syndrome is when a person has a cluster of metabolic conditions at the same time. Having metabolic syndrome places a person at a high risk for cardiovascular disease.
Predictors of metabolic syndrome include obesity, high triglycerides, low HDL levels, high blood pressure, and high levels of glucose in the blood after fasting. By following a low carb diet, such as a keto diet, these conditions can be minimized, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Help With Brain Disorders
A large portion of the brain burns ketones, which are produced when carbohydrate consumption is low. A keto diet can treat brain disorders such as epilepsy and is effective in children with epilepsy who didn't respond to medication.
Research is also looking into how effective a keto diet can be for other neurological diseases. Some of these are Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. There is also some promise in using keto diets to treat ALS and traumatic brain disorders.
Increased Energy
Athletes who follow a keto diet report that their endurance is greater when they are in ketosis. In addition, recovery times are typically quicker, and inflammation and injury decrease.
Reduction Of Inflammation and Pain
By burning ketones, rather than fat, your body produces fewer reactive oxygen species, or ROS, which contribute to inflammation. Reductions in inflammation, especially in athletes, can also reduce pain and injury.
While these are only 10 of the benefits of ketosis, there are many more ways that your health and well-being can benefit from a ketogenic diet.
Do You Want To Know More?
Check out our site to learn more about our products that can help ensure success on a keto diet. You can also find some great recipes on our blog, including appetizers, dessert, and even a few keto-friendly cocktails!