Many trendy diets make bold claims about their ability to help people lose weight and improve their health, but at what cost?
Dietitians agree that the ketogenic or keto diet, which has seen a surge in popularity over the last several years, must be followed to the letter and may be challenging to keep up with.
Constipation, kidney stones, low blood pressure, vitamin shortages, and an increased risk of heart disease are some of the potential side effects of the ketogenic diet.
Very restrictive diets, such as the ketogenic diet, have been linked to increased rates of social isolation and eating disorders.
People who have an illness that affects their pancreas, liver, thyroid, or gallbladder should not follow the keto diet since it is unsafe for them.
Is the keto diet bad for your kidneys?
According to the most complete assessment of these diets that have been conducted to this point, higher-protein ketogenic (keto) diets may expedite renal failure and create other medical complications in those who already have kidney disease.
Strong evidence suggests that low-carb diets are linked to a higher risk of neural tube defects in infants, even if the mothers take folic acid.
Keto diets, which can result in ketosis, may be especially dangerous for women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant. Ketosis is a state in which the body produces ketones.
High consumption of protein has been shown to hasten the progression of renal disease in people who already have some degree of kidney dysfunction as a result of diabetes, hypertension, or infection.
A ketogenic diet places a significant burden on the kidneys, which may exacerbate any preexisting conditions.
There are a lot of patients who see nephrologists searching for weight loss methods, and a lot of those people also have diabetes, hypertension, and atherosclerosis.
There is mounting evidence that ketogenic diets are not only unsafe but should not be advocated under any circumstances.
In addition to assisting in the maintenance of renal function to the greatest degree feasible, eating a diet consisting of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes that have been thoughtfully planned can contribute to healthy weight management over the long run.
Other diets, on the other hand, have the potential to help ameliorate the progression of kidney disease, the complications of kidney disease, and in some cases, the causes of kidney disease, such as diabetes and hypertension.
Some diets have the potential to make the underlying kidney disease worse, while others have the potential to help ameliorate the complications of kidney disease.
Because keto diets often consist of high-fat foods like meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and cheese, they have been linked to an increased likelihood of developing diabetes.
These meals often include a significant amount of saturated fat, cholesterol, chemical pollutants, and several other potentially inflammatory components.
Is keto bad for the liver?
Following a ketogenic diet will cause your body to shift from using glucose as its primary source of fuel to using fat instead.
To enter the metabolic state of ketosis, one must follow a stringent daily diet that consists of high levels of healthy fats and a restriction of no more than 20 grams of carbs to be consumed throughout the day.
When your body is in a state of ketosis, your liver will manufacture ketone bodies as a source of fuel from the fact that it has been stored as well as from the fat that you consume in your diet.
But can it increase the amount of fat you consume causing fat to build up in your liver? Science says no. The glucose that your body creates from the carbohydrate that you consume is the major source of energy that your body uses.
When your consumption of carbohydrates is restricted to a certain range for a sufficient amount of time, your body will eventually reach a point where it must draw fuel from its alternative energy system, which is its fat stores.
This happens whenever your intake of carbohydrates falls within a certain range. This implies that your body will burn fat and convert it into ketones, which are used as a source of fuel.
Ketones that are produced in excess are flushed out of the body through the urine when a greater quantity of fat is burned than is immediately required for energy.
Being in a state of ketosis indicates that a significant quantity of fat has been burnt by your body as a reaction to the fact that it did not have adequate glucose available to meet its need for energy.
Dietary ketosis is one of the most misunderstood concepts in nutrition because it is frequently confused with ketoacidosis, which is a life-threatening condition that is most frequently associated with uncontrolled insulin-deficient Type 1 diabetes.
Dietary ketosis is one of the most misunderstood concepts in nutrition because it is often confused with ketoacidosis, which is a condition The lack of insulin in a person with type 1 diabetes results in a dangerous accumulation of glucose in the blood and an excessive breakdown of fatty and muscular tissue.
This syndrome does not develop in patients who have even a trace quantity of insulin in their bodies, regardless of whether the insulin was produced naturally or was provided artificially.
Dietary ketosis, on the other hand, is a natural adaptation to the body’s decreased consumption of carbs. This adjustment takes place when the body transfers its major source of energy from carbohydrates to the fat that has been stored in the body.
Because insulin is present, the creation of ketones is kept in control, which enables a gentle and beneficial state of ketosis to be reached.
The levels of glucose in the blood have been brought back down to within the normal range, and there has been no breakdown of the healthy muscle tissue.
You may find it interesting to learn that some medical issues are treated with a ketogenic diet plan that is quite strict and heavy in fat content.
For instance, as a therapy for their disease, children who suffer from certain seizure disorders are required to follow a ketogenic (ketosis) dietary plan that is exceedingly restrictive and includes a very low carbohydrate intake for at least two years.
We do not know the precise reason why it helps minimize seizures in these children; however, what we do know is that it is successful and that being in a state of continual ketosis for those two years does not in any way pose any kind of health risk.
Another fascinating fact is that authentic Eskimos can maintain a state of nutritional ketosis throughout their whole lives without experiencing any negative consequences on their health.
Some of the advantages that many individuals experience when in a state of nutritional ketosis for purposeful weight reduction include quick weight loss, reduced appetite and cravings, better mood, increased energy, and protection of lean mass as long as protein consumption is appropriate.
Wrapping Up
In the short term, the keto diet has been associated with weight reduction and other health advantages. However, long-term use of the diet may result in vitamin shortages, digestive disorders, poor bone health, and other concerns.
Because of these dangers, anyone who has a renal illness, diabetes, heart or bone issues, or any other medical condition should see their doctor before beginning the ketogenic diet.
While you are following this diet, it is highly recommended that you seek the assistance of a nutritionist to help you plan nutritious meals and check your nutritional levels. Doing so will assist you in lowering your chance of developing problems and nutrient deficiencies.
