Unlike many fad diets that come and go
with very limited rates of long-term success, the ketogenic diet (or keto diet)
has been practiced for more than nine decades (since the 1920s) and is based
upon a solid understanding of physiology and nutrition science.
A keto diet is well known
for being a low carb diet, where the body produces ketones in the liver to be
used as energy. It’s referred to as many different names – ketogenic diet, low
carb diet, low carb high fat (LCHF), etc.
When you eat something high in
carbs, your body will produce glucose and insulin.\
Glucose is the easiest molecule for
your body to convert and use as energy so that it will be chosen over any other
energy source.
Insulin is produced to process the
glucose in your bloodstream by taking it around the body.
Since the glucose is being used
as a primary energy, your fats are not needed and are therefore stored.
Typically on a normal, higher carbohydrate diet, the body will use glucose as
the main form of energy. By lowering the intake of carbs, the body is induced
into a state known as ketosis.
What Is Ketosis?
Ketosis is the result of
following the standard ketogenic diet, which is why it’s also sometimes called
“the ketosis diet.” Ketosis takes place when glucose from carbohydrate foods
(like grains, all sources of sugar or fruit, for example) is drastically
reduced, which forces the body to find an alternative fuel source: fat.
Although dietary fat (especially saturated fat) often gets a bad name,
provoking fear of weight gain and heart disease, it’s also your body’s second
preferred source of energy when carbohydrates are not easily accessible.
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