You no doubt have a friend, sibling, or coworker who’s jumped on the keto diet bandwagon. Keto, more formerly known as the ketogenic diet, is an eating plan that restricts the consumption of carbohydrates in order to put the body in a state known as ketosis. When in ketosis, the body has inadequate levels of glucose energy, so it will turn to stored fat for energy burning instead, which is also positive for those who wish to burn excess fat.
To achieve ketosis, those eating keto strive to consume mostly proteins and fats, and only 5% of the daily diet will be made up of carbohydrates. While weight loss is the main goal of an estimated 90% of people following the keto diet, there are positives and negatives linked to going keto, such as:
1. With weight loss comes potential health issues
There are tons of celebrity claims that keto helps you lose weight, be more energetic, and achieve more focus. However, researchers from the University of Southern California caution that while keto may help you shed unwanted pounds, a diet that’s so restrictive in nature, particularly when it comes to complete restriction of a major food group (i.e., carbs), dieters are at increased risk for micronutrient deficiency that could affect bone, brain, and other health. The truth of the matter is that scientists don’t yet fully know the long term effects of ketosis is on long-term health.
2. The ketosis flu
Coming off carbohydrates isn’t easy. In fact medical experts at Manhattan Cardiology in New York City warn that when the body is robbed of its main source of energy (i.e., glucose) as well as vital iron, vitamin Bs, and calcium, the body will suffer carb withdrawal, or what keto aficionados call the “keto flu”, with varying symptoms of fatigue, headaches, irritability, nausea, and fuzzy brain in the first few weeks of the diet.
3. Kidney and heart health
Doctors at USC’s Keck School of Medicine say keto might be okay for some, but for those with existing kidney issues going keto can trigger even worse kidney issues and even permanent kidney damage. This is because eating excess levels of protein puts a lot of stress on your kidneys, which could worsen already malfunctioning organs. Keep in mind that diets high in red meat and saturated fats, like keto, can also increase cholesterol and lead to cardiovascular issues (i.e., blocked arteries and heart disease).
4. Keto for epileptics and diabetics
While you may not have heard of keto until a few years ago, the keto diet has long been prescribed to diabetics and epileptics in order to decrease symptoms (i.e., seizures and blood sugar spikes), as well as to regulate hormones for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.
