Keto or the ketogenic diet, to be more precise has become immensely popular amongst fitness freaks and weight watchers. Keto is an eating plan that contains foods that are high in fat and contain a minimal amount of carbohydrates. The main goal of this diet plan is to use proteins for energy rather than sugars (carbs). Although the eating plan is admired for its ability to trigger weight loss, it can benefit your health in more than one ways. Read on to know more about it.
What is a keto diet?
A ketogenic diet is a food plan that typically comprises high-fat, adequate-protein and low-carb foods. This diet instigates weight loss by pushing your body into a fat-burning process known as ketosis. Although it has gained a huge surge in the market as a weight loss remedy recently; however, its use is not new. This natural formula was first used in the 19th century by French doctors to treat people with epilepsy. The foods that are generally included in this food plan are- meat, cheese, avocado, eggs, full-fat yoghurt, spinach, berries etc. Also, a person must avoid starchy food grains, fruits and juices while on keto.
Keto diet vs. keto diet pills- which is better?
Nowadays, e-commerce portals and the shelves of pharmacy stores are stacked with a wide variety of keto supplements. However, the big question here is- do a ketogenic diet in a pill works as effectively as the conventional food plan? Well, the answer is- Yes! These low-carb diet pills come power-packed with the organic food extracts that are ketogenic in nature. It is no surprise that the conventional food plan involves dietary restrictions, and most people find sticking to this diet plan a bit troublesome. Contrary to that, keto diet pills form an easy alternative to instigate the fat-burn processes in the body.
Keto diet pills and fat burn-
Keto diet pills come enriched with thermogenic ingredients that diligently push your body into Ketosis. It is your body’s natural state in which the level of glucose falls significantly, and it starts looking for an alternative energy source for fueling vital organs. In such situations, your body starts the breakdown of extra body fat into ketones, and these molecules are transported to different parts through the bloodstream. Thereafter, these ketones are utilized by other body cells for energy.
How to Take Keto Pills-
Using keto Weight Loss pills is simple. You can reap the best health benefits by popping one pill, twice daily with a glass of lukewarm water, at least 30 minutes before meals. You can take one capsule before breakfast and the other before dinner.
Which brand should I buy?
At present, markets are loaded with a wide range of keto supplements; however, not all of them are safe and effective. Fitness experts suggest opting for herbal keto diet pills over chemically synthesized tablets due to obvious reasons. Nutrafirst is a reputed brand that offers organic, safe and effective keto diet pills at an economical price. To order or know more about it, you can visit www.nutrafirst.in
The name of the ‘Keto diet’ is prevailing across markets due to its potential benefits as is seen in many advertisements. However, there is a twist as is seen in many stories. Before you make up your mind to go with the ‘Keto diet’, make sure you have enough knowledge about it. When it comes to a weight-loss diet, Keto is what comes to the mind of people. Keto is a blend of a low-carb and high-fat diet that becomes a go-to choice for people struggling from weight loss problems.
Being on the Keto is not easy and isn’t meant for everyone. Many beginners follow this diet with intent to achieve a diluted body without putting in extra efforts on vigorous exercises, but things always don’t work the way you plan. Without proper research, they decide to go with ‘Keto diet’ which doesn’t prove to be effective due to the different lifestyle and body functionality of people. Let alone splurging Keto lifestyle, many of us fail to lose even 2-5 kg of weight. One thing to remember, before you set out on a journey on Keto diet, makes sure you aren’t vulnerable to its nasty side effects. Get the proper health check-up by the medical specialist to know more about your body.
In addition to this, you will get to see Atkins diets, paleo, and south beach diets seem to be fitting into the same category. Addressing them as Keto diet won’t be wrong as they work in the same way. As per the various study, the inclination of people to Keto diet is because of jaw-dropping ads that emphasize the upliftment of their brand image using Keto as a tool.
A real Keto-diet is comparatively different than other diets and focuses more on fat. In case of other diets, low-carb diets are the underlying reason due to the amount of protein present in those diets. With Keto plan, you can expect the supply of 90% daily calories. During the onset of the Keto diet, it was specifically used for the treatment of epileptic seizures (a kind of disease) in children that could not be controlled with AEDs.
Followed by this, it was tried for weight loss also as per various sources. However, effective results pertaining to this could not be found. The results that appeared out of this reflected the mixed reports. So, coming to a conclusion based on these results won’t solve the dilemma. Therefore, calling it safe for weight loss will be like believing in incomplete knowledge.
How does the Keto diet work?
Comprehensively speaking, the main role of a ketogenic diet is to put a curb on carbohydrates intake. The body at this stage starts breaking down carbohydrates into sugar glucose to produce the energy. The aim of the Keto diet is to put the body into the state wherein it uses an alternative for fuel.
The deficiency of glucose that comes from carbohydrates makes body use stored fat. The process is also called the ketone bodies due to lack of enough carbs in the body. The Keto diet works on ketone bodies, it is a fuel that the liver produces from stored fat.
When the fat starts burning, your body comes into a good shape by losing pounds. However, making the liver make ketone bodies is not less than taking a risk.
Needless to say that deficiencies of carbohydrates lead to ketosis. The process involves the breakdown of protein and decreased energy with hardly 20 to 50 grams of carbs per day (A banana contains around 27 grams of carbs). You can better comprehend by now that how much carbs you are keeping away from yourself to reach ketosis.
You immediately don’t come into the state of ketosis; it takes a few days after the onset of the Keto diet. When you take too much protein, this becomes a problem for your low-carb diet and soon kicks you out of the ketosis.
Risk factors associated with Keto–
A plethora of Keto advanced weight loss capsules can be found in the market but if things could improve using pills then everyone would follow the same. In the same way, many weight-loss diets come with amazing health and wellness promises but have certain risks involved. The ketogenic diet is one of them. As per various dieticians, ketogenic diet, of course, has gained momentum across the world as one of the best weight-loss diets but it is equally risky, strict, and difficult to maintain.
A ketogenic diet poses serious risks. One of the detrimental issues detected in the study of the Keto is it is high in saturated fat. Saturated fat is responsible to cause cholesterol that builds up in or around your arteries and increases the risk of heart failure. As per the expert recommendations, the intake of daily calories in the body should be less than 10% to avoid heart risk. Being on a Keto diet increases the bad LDL cholesterol that is directly linked to heart disease.
On the other hand, to get into ketosis, your diet should entail 75 percent of calories from fat as compared to what you normally have I.e. 25-30 percent. Also, the contribution of 5 percent calories is also essential from carbohydrates which mean 20-50 grams per day. Intake of around 15 percent of calories from protein is essential to come to the Keto diet.
When all things go as per the planned way then it takes around a week for ketosis to kick in. so, you can comprehend that the intake of calories is high in a Keto diet. Consuming the same calories can be attributed to the debilitating heart health.
Other potential risks of Keto are:
Liver problems- There is a prevalence of disease called (NAFLD) non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, it has taken a toll on numerous people. The increase in obesity causes this disease that leads to liver cancer. It seems to have no end with any treatment. Keto is equally responsible to impair the condition of the liver as it contains meat one of the main components of the Keto diet, it is necessary to include this in the Keto diet for being the essential source of energy.
So, it develops fat in the body slowly. Metabolizing so much fat get a herculean task for the body and the Keto diet is largely responsible for the worsening condition of the liver. To stop it, your lifestyle modification will work as the main therapy and is considered to be the best treatment option to save the liver from getting damaged.
Nutrient deficiency– To have the optimal health condition, eating enough vegetables, grains, fruits, protein broccoli, sprouts, spinach is necessary. Incorporating these items in your daily life prevents you from the risk of bad health or body ailments.
Moreover, micronutrients such as vitamins B and C, E, selenium, phosphorus, and magnesium fulfil the requirement of nutrition in the body due to which you easily avert major health problems such as overweight issues. Your agility and performance reach the peak throughout the day.
Constipation– Constipation during the onset of the Keto diet is common as your body adjusts itself according to the fewer carbs and more fats that help digest items accordingly. But as you move forward, your GI tract gets adjusted as per your eating style; it no longer becomes an issue then.
The reason of constipation is because of legumes and grains that are low in fibrous foods, once you start eating such foods, your problem of constipation gets solved due to the accurate functioning of bowels.
”’Kidney problems”’ – One of the main functions of kidneys is to help metabolize protein and Keto diet is known to overload them. (The average intake of protein that women should take is 46 grams per day and 56 grams for men).
Mood swings and redundant thoughts- For the brain to function well needs sugar that comes with healthy carbohydrates. Keto is a low-carb diet that causes irritability to the brain. The risk of losing mental strength keeps increasing with each passing day. So, make sure you take consultation from a healthcare professional before embarking on a Keto diet.
What does your eating plan incorporate in Keto diet?
The emphasizes on the high-fat requirement, people must follow this rule when eating their meal. When we talk about the daily 2000-calorie diet, it encompasses 40 grams of carbs, 165 grams of fat, and 75 grams of protein. However, you can extend the limit based on the requirement of your body needs.
Keto diet also involves some healthy unsaturated fats such as almonds, walnuts, tofu, seeds, olive oil, and seeds. Saturated fats such as cocoa butter, coconut oils, lard are largely encouraged. Protein is the underlying part of the Keto whether lean protein foods or protein sources. It is the need of the Keto diet such as pork, and bacon.
Vegetables and fruits are the main pillars of Keto diet; they are rich in carbs so, their regular intake in the diet is imperative which should be used in small portions such as berries. Vegetables too hold an important place in the Keto diet as they are rich in carbs. But limitations are there in their consumption such as leafy greens that involves spinach, cauliflower, Swiss chard, Brussels, onions, garlic, mushrooms, celery, cucumber, and broccoli) they all contain enough amount of carbs to support your Keto journey.
At present, the fitness enthusiasts indulge in different diets and food plans as a desperate effort to get a well-chiselled physique. Ketogenic diet is one such name that has gained tremendous popularity for its amazing weight loss results. If you too are planning to go on a keto diet to lose weight, you must be aware that it involves strict food restrictions and even a small mistake can lower its fat-burning potential. Today, we are here to bring you a set of instructions you must follow before starting a ketogenic diet. These steps will not only help you experience excellent weight loss results but will make the journey a lot easy and convenient.
What is a ketogenic diet?
Ketogenic diet is a food plan that contains low carbs, adequate protein and high fats. This diet plan aims at forcing your body to enter a metabolic state of ketosis for ultimate fat burn experience. Traditionally, this eating plan was used to treat people with epilepsy. In recent times, it is being used as a natural and healthy way to lose weight. Here are a few common foods that a typical ketogenic diet includes- lean meat, butter, cheese, eggs, avocado, berries, sweet potato etc. Not to mention, many people find sticking to a conventional keto diet for long and prefer to take keto diet pills as an easier alternative to the traditional food plan.
Tips to follow before starting a keto diet-
1. Know what to eat and what not while on keto-
As you decide to embark on the keto diet plan to get a well-chiselled physique, you should be ready to bring about a major change into your diet. When we suggest you to cut carbs, it doesn’t only mean bread, pasta, pancakes, and ice-creams but a majority of fruits and starchy vegetables too. However, few exceptions such as low-carb legumes and berries can help you shed a few extra pounds. Also, common foods that make an excellent addition to keto food plan are meat and pure oils such as butter, cheese, yoghurt and avocado.
2. Fall in love with fats-
Most of us fear fat for all bad reasons. While on keto, you are required to consider fats your best friend. Yes, it’s true! During ketosis, your body requires more fat to be utilized to fuel the body. So, before starting the food plan, prepare yourself to make small adjustments every day such as using more oil for cooking and dunking your toast in butter.
3. Eat fresh–
Dear quickies, it’s time to ditch processed and ready-to-eat meal kits. These foods are high in carbohydrates, which may bring your body out of ketosis. You can look at a variety of keto recipes online or get a keto cookbook and get on the toes!
4. Keep a check on electrolytes-
During ketosis, your kidneys excrete more water and salts. This can cause electrolyte imbalance and can make your body go out of whack. Therefore, you must ensure an adequate intake of Sodium and potassium to keep your body function well. Also, don’t forget to guzzle plenty of water to avoid excessive pressure on your kidneys.
5. Get familiar with the potential side-effects-
Although keto diet is considered safe for most people, you may experience certain side effects during the initial phases. Some common side effects of a keto diet are-
- Keto flu
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Low energy
- Loose stools
These are a few common steps that can help to get the most out of a ketogenic food plan. Follow these tips and gear up for an ultimate weight loss experience.
In recent times, the Keto diet has emerged as a new trend in the fitness world. It has been advertised as a weight-loss wonder and has grabbed the attention of many fitness junkies for its weight loss claims. Basically, a ketogenic diet or keto diet is a diet plan that changes the way your body converts food into energy.
Here, we are with some interesting information on the keto diet and its health benefits. Read on.
What is a Ketogenic Diet?
Ketogenic diet a.k.a ‘keto diet’ is carb-deficient, adequate-protein and fat-rich eating plan that aims at forcing your body to use fat for energy, rather than sugars. A ketogenic diet puts your body on ketosis. It is a metabolic state in which your body uses ketones as fuel to keep working when it runs out of primary fuel source, glucose. Additionally, it can trigger weight loss by reducing your calorie intake and burning fatty acids for energy. People on keto diet claim that they feel more energetic, less hungry and experience weight loss as well.
What forms a Keto Diet?
A keto diet incorporates fatty and protein-rich foods. If you are planning to go on keto, base the majority of your diet on low-carb vegetables, meat, eggs, healthy oils, full-fat yogurt, unprocessed cheese, mushrooms, butter, avocado, and peanuts etc.
To get the best benefits out of a keto diet, one should stop consuming high-carb foods such as whole grains, starchy foods, root vegetables and tubers, legumes, fruits except a few like strawberries.
History of Keto Diet-
Although the keto diet gained popularity as a weight loss solution recently; the use of the Keto diet is not new. The origins of the keto diet can be traced back to the nineteenth century, when it was first used to treat symptoms of epilepsy, especially in children. In I920, researchers found that the elevated levels of ketones in the blood resulted in fewer epileptic seizures in patients. Even today, the keto diet is prescribed to the children with epilepsy who show a little or no response to anti-epileptic drugs.
How it Works-
The Keto diet works by forcing your body into the process of Ketosis. It is a metabolic state in which your body produces a large number of ketones. These molecules are used by your body as an alternate fuel source to produce energy when the glucose levels are relatively low.
Ketone production is an important function of the liver. In this process, your liver gradually converts fats into fatty acids and ketones. On a ketogenic diet, your body switches its fuel source and uses fat for energy. Being low in carbohydrates, the ketogenic diet reduces the levels of insulin in your body, which in turn, transforms your body into a fat burning machine. Superb!
Health Benefits of the Keto Diet-
Since centuries, the keto diet is being used as an effective remedy to cure epilepsy. But its health benefits are not limited to combating this debilitating disease. In fact, it can benefit your health in several ways. Some of its most impressive health benefits as follows-
Aids in Weight Loss-
When you are on a keto diet, your body is burning fat day and night. This constant fat-burning process not only fuels your body but aids in weight loss as well. Besides, it allows you to curb hunger pangs by suppressing ghrelin (hunger hormone). In addition, it elevates the level of cholecystokinin (CCK), a chemical that imparts you a feeling of being full.
Controls Blood Sugars and Insulin Spikes–
When you consume high-carb foods, it causes a rapid increase in your blood glucose and equally rapid insulin rush from the pancreas. The insulin cuts down excessive glucose in the blood, which in turn, can make you feel hungry after a few hours.
On the other hand, consuming a low-carb diet helps in keeping the blood sugar levels low and reduces insulin spikes as well. Low insulin spike is a paramount success for any kind of diet as higher levels of insulin makes your body to store more fat.
Improves Brain Functions-
Ketones form an excellent fuel for your brain as it provides an instant splash of energy. They are more powerful than carbs and fulfil around 70% of your brain’s energy needs. Besides, it feeds your brain with nutrients and improves its ability to work efficiently. Your brain is made up of 60% of fat cells and it is essential to feed it with healthy fats to keep it in good condition. Studies revealed that switching to the keto diet enhances memory and reduces the risk of cognitive decline as well.
Boosts Energy Levels-
When your body is running on ketones for energy, you don’t experience the same energy slumps as you do when you consume a high-carb diet. On keto, your body remains in a fat-burning mode which results in a steady supply of energy to the brain. It results in no energy slumps and brain fog.
Besides, keto helps the brain to produce a high number of mitochondria which are also known as the powerhouse of the cells. Your body needs strong mitochondria to provide your organs with the energy they require to work best. Also, you should keep in mind that the keto diet may make you feel sick or show some health-related symptoms known as ‘keto flu’ in the initial stages. Once it passes, you will swear by the positive effects of the keto diet.
Reduces Inflammation-
Inflammation is your body’s natural ability to fight against a foreign particle that invades your body for all wrong reasons. However, too much or chronic inflammation is bad for you. Consistent production of anti-inflammatory chemicals in your body can result in serious ailments such as cancer, heart diseases, diabetes and many more.
Keto diet, on the other hand, switches off your inflammatory pathways and protects your body from harmful effects. Additionally, it is important for you to incorporate unprocessed foods in your keto diet to get its best benefits.
We hope you find this information useful and interesting. Thanks for reading. We wish you good health!