What is the ketogenic diet?
What is the ketogenic diet?
The benefits of a ketogenic diet
The ketogenic diet is a particular type of diet known for decades that is based on a drastic reduction of carbohydrates. This metabolic condition, known as ketosis (physiological ketosis, which allows survival during periods of famine, not to be confused with the pathological ketoacidosis of uncompensated diabetes), induces the body to use almost exclusively fats for energy. There have always been two methods to implement it: either fasting or a diet rich in fats and proteins. Now it is possible to implement it using a carbohydrate-free diet. The first in-depth scientific studies on this metabolic condition were conducted by the Cahill group in the 1960s, starting from the “fasted” condition.
There is a clear distinction between the ketogenic diet and a hyper-protein diet, as they are not synonymous. In the ketogenic diet, it is crucial to use plant-based proteins with low carbohydrate content to avoid problems and maintain the body in ketosis, preserving renal and hepatic function. A ketogenic diet with carbohydrate-free products does not cause any problems to the liver. This dietary regimen requires a few days to initiate the process of ketosis, but even a small deviation can interrupt the mechanism.
It’s essential to adhere to the specific rules of the ketogenic diet, as each dietary regimen has its own set of rules. It’s not advisable to mix a high-protein diet with carbohydrate-free products. In cases where carbohydrate-free products rich in fats are used in the ketogenic diet, it should be done under the supervision of an expert who understands their proper use. Monitoring weight loss shouldn’t rely solely on the scale but also on observing reductions in clothing sizes or analyzing body composition changes to assess shifts in fat and muscle percentages. Increased protein intake contributes to lean muscle mass, and muscle, relative to volume, weighs much more than fat.
Prof. Antonioli Paoli talks to us about the ketogenic diet
The ketogenic dietary regimen
The ketogenic diet is a regimen that largely excludes carbohydrates, relying on the intake of proteins and fats to induce ketosis. The body is forced to utilize stored fats for energy, and due to complex biochemical processes, ketone bodies are formed, which are used by the brain for energy. This dietary regimen works by compelling the body to use its fat reserves. It’s the physiological mechanism that allowed the human race to survive during periods of fasting in our evolutionary history, ensuring survival.
The ketogenic dietary regimen
The ketogenic diet is a regimen that largely excludes carbohydrates, relying on the intake of proteins and fats to induce ketosis. The body is forced to utilize stored fats for energy, and due to complex biochemical processes, ketone bodies are formed, which are used by the brain for energy. This dietary regimen works by compelling the body to use its fat reserves. It’s the physiological mechanism that allowed the human race to survive during periods of fasting in our evolutionary history, ensuring survival.
Difference between ketosis and ketoacidosis
Ketosis is a physiological mechanism of the body in the absence of sugars that, in healthy individuals, does not cause any problems. Ketoacidosis is a pathological condition related to uncontrolled diabetes.
Difference between ketosis and ketoacidosis
Ketosis is a physiological mechanism of the body in the absence of sugars that, in healthy individuals, does not cause any problems. Ketoacidosis is a pathological condition related to uncontrolled diabetes.
High-protein diet and carbohydrate-free diet
It’s never good to mix diets because each applies different rules than the other. One should not integrate a high-protein diet with ketogenic products. In a ketogenic diet, ketogenic products, containing fats, must be used under the supervision of someone who knows how to use them.
High-protein diet and carbohydrate-free diet
It’s never good to mix diets because each applies different rules than the other. One should not integrate a high-protein diet with ketogenic products. In a ketogenic diet, ketogenic products, containing fats, must be used under the supervision of someone who knows how to use them.
Ketogenic Diet and Cholesterol
Most studies on the ketogenic diet and cholesterol show that, despite the use of fats in this diet, there is actually a decrease in total cholesterol. Additionally, there is an increase in HDL cholesterol, which has a protective function, and a reduction in LDL cholesterol.
Ketogenic Diet and Cholesterol
Most studies on the ketogenic diet and cholesterol show that, despite the use of fats in this diet, there is actually a decrease in total cholesterol. Additionally, there is an increase in HDL cholesterol, which has a protective function, and a reduction in LDL cholesterol.
Ketogenic diet and quantities
The amount of food allowed on the ketogenic diet depends on the protein sources. In the case of animal proteins, eating 4/5 kg of meat per day is not advisable. However, by using ketogenic products containing high-quality plant proteins with low carbohydrate content, it is possible to eat until satiety.
Ketogenic diet and quantities
The amount of food allowed on the ketogenic diet depends on the protein sources. In the case of animal proteins, eating 4/5 kg of meat per day is not advisable. However, by using ketogenic products containing high-quality plant proteins with low carbohydrate content, it is possible to eat until satiety.
Ketogenic Diet and Potential Transgressions
The ketogenic diet regime requires a few days to trigger the ketosis mechanism. Just a small transgression is enough to block this mechanism, which, after a few days, makes the feeling of hunger much less noticeable. It only takes a slight transgression for the body to start feeling hungry again.
Ketogenic Diet and Potential Transgressions
The ketogenic diet regime requires a few days to trigger the ketosis mechanism. Just a small transgression is enough to block this mechanism, which, after a few days, makes the feeling of hunger much less noticeable. It only takes a slight transgression for the body to start feeling hungry again.
Ketogenic diet and side effects
There is a clear distinction to be made between the ketogenic diet and the high-protein diet, which are not synonymous. It is important to use plant-based proteins with very low carbohydrate content to bypass the issue, preserving renal and hepatic function and keeping the body in ketosis. The ketogenic diet does not create any problems for the liver.
Ketogenic diet and side effects
There is a clear distinction to be made between the ketogenic diet and the high-protein diet, which are not synonymous. It is important to use plant-based proteins with very low carbohydrate content to bypass the issue, preserving renal and hepatic function and keeping the body in ketosis. The ketogenic diet does not create any problems for the liver.