I examined the Ketogenic diet due to its growing popularity and contrasting views regarding its health implications. The diet has advantages and disadvantages for the health and well-being of an individual. According to Cicek & Sanlier (2022), the ketogenic diet can decrease weight loss and improve insulin sensitivity. However, using a ketogenic diet may result in low blood pressure, kidney problems, and others. The health implications of the diet make it a good concept for research.
The Basic Principles of a Ketogenic Diet
Dr. Russell Wilder created the ketogenic diet at the Mayo Clinic in 1924 as a therapy for epilepsy. Prior to the development of anti-convulsant drugs, it was quite common in the 1920s. (Arulappan et al., 2019). The purpose of this diet is to restrict carbohydrate intake to ensure that the body must metabolize fat to get energy. The diet majors more on weight loss instead of the search for health benefits. The ketogenic diet promotes self-care by giving an individual the ability to be disciplined, especially when choosing what they want to eat. As a result, the diet copies the principle of starvation or fasting by depriving the body of the carbohydrates it needs to function and forcing it to metabolize fat.
The Foods That are Permissible or Encouraged
Ketogenic diet foods are low in carbohydrates and high in fats. Meat and poultry are believed to staple foods in this diet. They contain no carbs and are a great source of high-quality protein (Cicek & Sanlier, 2022). Eggs are considered an important food in the ketogenic diet due to their low carb content and high protein. Seafood is keto-friendly and consists of salmon, sardines, mackerel, and other fatty fish. Non-starchy vegetables, such as Broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, bell peppers, zucchini, and spinach, are permissible in the keto diet (Cicek & Sanlier, 2022). Therefore, the keto diet allows the consumption of meat, fats, and non-starchy veggies. Other meals include cheese, avocados, Nuts, Seeds, and Healthy Oils.
The Foods That are Prohibited or Limited
There are several foods that are prohibited under the ketogenic diet. Firstly, grains are among the foodstuffs avoided due to their high content of carbohydrates (Cicek & Sanlier, 2022). They consist of cereal, crackers, rice, pasta, bread, and beer. Secondly, starchy vegetables have more digestible carbs compared to fiber and are restricted. These foods include corn, potatoes, sweet potatoes, beets, and other vegetables with high carb content. Thirdly, an individual is supposed to avoid juices, sweetened yogurts, and maple syrup, which are high in carbs and low in nutrients (Cicek & Sanlier, 2022). As a result, the ketogenic diet discourages people from eating foods with high carb content.
The Health Implications of a Ketogenic Diet
There are both positive and negative health implications of a ketogenic diet. One of the positive implications of a keto diet is its effect on oral health by lowering the accumulation of plaque (Cicek & Sanlier, 2022). The diet may help in losing weight by increasing metabolism and reducing appetite. This is possible because it helps reduce the intake of calories, which is a major cause of weight gain. For negative effects, the diet could result in low blood pressure, kidney stones, constipation, vitamin shortages, and an increased risk of heart disease (Cicek & Sanlier, 2022). In addition, Keto flu is among the adverse effects because it causes weariness, nausea, and dizziness. Individuals suffering from pancreatic, liver, thyroid, or gallbladder disease should avoid a ketogenic diet.
References
Arulappan, J., Karkada, S., Jayapal, S. K., & Seshan, V. (2019). Ketogenic Diet-An Evidence-Based Direction for Seizure Control. International Journal of Nutrition, Pharmacology, Neurological Diseases, 9(1), 37. Web.
Cicek, E., & Sanlier, N. (2022). The place of a ketogenic diet in the treatment of resistant epilepsy: a comprehensive review. Nutritional Neuroscience, 1-14. Web.