It’s that time of the year. Time to make a fresh push towards losing the Holiday weight, or simply a great time without distractions to focus on reaching a goal.
As you have no doubt been paying attention, a common phrase in the weight loss industry is “KETO”. Keto, short for ketogenic diet, is a high fat – low carb diet, designed to put your body in a state of ketosis.
What exactly is ketosis?
Ketosis is a metabolic process that occurs when the body begins to burn fat for energy, because it does not have enough carbohydrates to burn. During this process, the liver produces chemicals called ketones which the body will utilize in place of glucose.
Is the ketogenic diet effective?
Without getting lost in the details, the science says that there is a net loss in calories when fat is converted to ketones. In other words, stored body fat will be burned more quickly in a state of ketosis.
But does it actually work?
The evidence does show that there is a statistical difference in the rate of weight loss between the ketogenic diet and other diets.
Why wouldn’t everybody do it?
First, the effectiveness of the ketogenic diet may have more to do with the fact that people experience a mild loss of appetite while in ketosis. There are a number of possible reasons for this, including, a down regulation of metabolism by the body, the satiating qualities of fat, or simply that eating avocados and eggs can induce palate boredom or malaise.
Second, the speed of weight-loss experienced while in ketosis is matched only by the speed of weight-gain after returning to a normal diet.
Third, if there are any functional issues in the kidneys or liver, then ketosis could represent a potential burden for the body. Also, special attention must be given to the intake of sufficient micronutrients if the diet continues for a long period of time.
Final thoughts.
The ketogenic diet is a proven dietary method for losing large amounts of weight, and for losing it rapidly; however, the diet must be viewed from the perspective of the end goal. If the aim is to lose weight for a specific event without regard for putting the weight back on, then it can be effective. If you are looking to make permanent lifestyle changes and obtain a new standard of body mass, then a nutrition plan that effectively fits your life may be a better option. In either case, being well informed is always the best option.
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