7 Benefits of the keto diet

You have most likely heard of the ketogenic (keto for short) diet as it has become quite popular within the last few years. Like most other diets, you probably believe it's greatest, if not only, benefit is weight loss. While it's true that most people go on a diet to lose weight, the keto diet has other benefits as well, and we will explore 7 of them in this article.

Just to reiterate what we mentioned in a previous post, the keto diet is low on carbohydrates, moderate on protein, and high in fat. The basic idea is to get the body to switch from using sugar to using fat as energy. When sugar is no longer available the body has no choice but to tap its stored fat to fuel its energy needs. This happens in the state of ketosis where the liver converts fat into ketones to be used as energy. This is why the keto diet is very effective in reducing fat in your body.

7 benefits of the keto diet

While all types of diets can cause weigh loss, some have little else to offer (besides the fact that losing weight itself is beneficial to your health). So what are the benefits of the keto diet?

1. Weight loss

This is the obvious and perhaps the primary reason people go on a diet, including the ketogenic diet. We have previously discussed how this works, so we won't go into the details again.

2. Reduces your appetite

When you don't consume as much carbohydrates, you'll find that you don't get hungry as much as before. Many on the keto diet crave less food and therefore, are able to fast most of the day, and only eat at mealtimes. This factor helps them stick to their diet program.

3. Improves your ability to focus

With high carbogydrate diets there are usually fluctuations in sugar levels that your brain has to deal with. The inconsistency in energy levels makes it hard for your brain to focus. With the keto diet, however, the energy source is constant and consistent. The brain is better able to stay focused.

4. Makes you feel more energetic

On many other diets, your body tends to run low on energy quite frequently, creating the need to constantly eat and refuel. With the keto diet, however, the body taps its fat reserves, which your body has an abundance of. Therefore, the body is able to maintain constant energy levels throughout the day. The result is, you feel a lot more energetic.

5. Helps control diabetes

This is probably one of the most important benefits of the keto diet. If you have type 2 diabetes, there are high levels of insulin in your body. Since the keto diet reduces excess sugar, it helps stabilize HbA1c counts, and in many instances can actually reverse the diabetes.

6. Improves levels of good cholesterol

HDL (a.k.a. the good cholesterol) helps get rid of the body's bad cholesterol reserves. When you're on the keto diet, your body's triglyceride levels fall and your HDL cholesterol levels rise.

7. Improves your blood pressure

Many people on the keto diet have reported that they were able to stop taking their blood pressure medications after a while (with the approval of their physicians). Explaining how this works is beyond the scope of this article. If you're interested you can do an internet search.

Another potential benefit of the keto diet worth mentioning is improved cancer survival. One particular study showed that implementing the ketogenic diet led to a dramatically increased survival time and slower tumor growth. (Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5450454/)

As you can see, the keto diet is potentially life saving and life changing. But it takes willingness and determination to be successful. However, you're not alone. There are resources and guides that can help you along the way to achieve your goals, whatever they may be.

An important tool is an 8 week keto meal plan created by experts (nutritionists, personal trainers, and chefs) customized to your needs and preferences. Most of the hard work is done for you, and there is no more guessing game as you don't have to worry about what you can and cannot eat. All you have to do is cook the food (by following the delicious recipes), and be on your way to success.

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