Keto Diet: Know the Benefits, How to Undergo, and the Risks

Keto Diet: Know the Benefits, How to Undergo, and the Risks - Keto diet is a diet that is done by applying a diet low in carbohydrates and high in fat. Keto diets are increasingly popular because they are said to be fast losing weight. But the keto diet is also controversial, because if it is not done properly, it might endanger health.

In order to achieve the benefits of rapid weight loss from the keto diet, you should first know the various things about the keto diet including how to undergo and the risks. With enough information about the keto diet, you will also be able to understand and take into account whether this type of diet is in accordance with your body condition and physical abilities.

Keto Diet: Know the Benefits, How to Undergo, and the Risks
images credits: pixabay

What is the Keto Diet?


The keto diet is almost similar to the Atkins diet and a low carbohydrate diet that reduces carbohydrate consumption and increases fat consumption, with a moderate amount of protein intake.

The purpose of consuming high amounts of fat in the keto diet is so that the body reaches ketosis. Under these conditions, the body will burn fat as the main energy source. Fat will also be converted into ketones in the liver, thus providing a supply of energy for the brain.

Ketosis is actually a mild condition of ketoacidosis , a dangerous condition that often occurs in people with type 1 diabetes . Although there are still many pros and cons to this diet, several studies show that the keto diet is classified as safe and effective to do, especially for people who are overweight or obese , as long as it is only carried out within a certain time limit and under the doctor's supervision. Until now, the benefits and effects of the keto diet on the body are still being studied.

Taking the Benefits of the Keto Diet


Before being used to lose weight, actually a keto diet is recommended as a way to help overcome several types of diseases, especially to reduce the frequency of seizures in children with epilepsy who are not managed with drugs.

Some conditions that benefit from the keto diet include:


  • Control blood sugar in type 2 diabetics


For type 2 diabetics , the keto diet is the recommended diet as long as the fat consumed is healthy fat. For example fats derived from salmon, beans and avocados. Low intake of carbohydrates is considered effective in reducing blood sugar levels. To monitor the safety of the keto diet in diabetics, it is recommended that patients routinely check blood sugar levels every day. Don't let your blood sugar levels get too low. Testing for ketone levels also needs to be done to avoid ketoacidosis.
  • Relieve symptoms of epilepsy in children

A nutritionist revealed that the keto diet can relieve symptoms of epilepsy in children . This diet is very effective, especially for children with epilepsy symptoms that are difficult to treat with regular treatment. A study tested on 150 children with epilepsy showed that after undergoing a keto diet for one year, half of the children experienced a decrease in seizure frequency of 50%.

  • Reducing the risk of heart disease

The keto diet that is carried out by increasing consumption of healthy fats is likely to reduce the risk of suffering from heart disease. This is presumably because the keto diet lowers insulin levels so that cholesterol production in the body also decreases. This condition will reduce the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure.

  • Reducing the risk of developing a nervous system disorder

Besides epilepsy, the keto diet is also likely to have benefits to help deal with nervous system disorders such as Alzheimer's , sleep disorders, and Parkinson's disease. This is allegedly due to the ketones produced by the body to break down fat into energy, so it can protect brain cells from damage.

The keto diet can also provide several other benefits, such as reducing acne, helping to treat PCOS , and inhibiting the development of cancer. In addition, the keto diet also inhibits inflammation in gout. Therefore, many health practitioners provide keto diet recommendations, but of course they must be lived in the right way.

How to Get the Right Keto Diet


For those of you who are interested in doing a keto diet, you must be willing to reduce carbohydrate consumption every day in large enough quantities. The standard keto diet ( standard ketogenic diet ) is a diet with 75% fat consumption, 20% protein consumption, and 5% carbohydrate consumption.

While keto diets high in protein ( high - ketogenic protein diet ) have a greater portion of protein consumption. The diet that is applied is 60% fat, 5% carbohydrate, 35% protein. In addition, there is also another type of keto diet that is more commonly done by athletes or bodybuilders, namely cyclical ketogenic diet (CKD) and targeted ketogenic diets .

So, what foods are avoided or recommended in the keto diet? Fat-rich foods recommended in the keto diet are:
  • Eggs, especially those containing omega 3 .
  • Meat, chicken, turkey, sausages, steaks and other meat products.
  • Tuna, salmon , mackerel.
  • Cream, butter and cheese.
  • Green vegetables, tomatoes, onions, chili and other vegetables that are low in carbohydrates.
  • Nuts and seeds, such as almonds, sesame seeds, chia and pumpkin seeds.
  • Avocados, both consumed directly and in the form of cooking.
  • Olive oil, avocado oil or coconut oil.
  • Salt, pepper and various natural herbs.

Meanwhile, the types of carbohydrates that are avoided include:


  • Rice, pasta, cereals and wheat products.
  • Nuts and seeds.
  • Tubes, such as sweet potatoes, potatoes, carrots.
  • Sweet foods or drinks, such as candy, ice cream, cake, fruit juice and soda.
  • Unhealthy fats from vegetable oil or mayonnaise.
  • Drinks containing alcohol.

The keto diet is recommended to be done in the short term (starting from 2-3 weeks, up to a maximum limit of 6-12 months) as limited to reducing body fat and improving health, to be followed by a healthy lifestyle . This is to avoid the risk of health problems that might occur if the keto diet is carried out in the long term.

Consider the Risk of the Keto Diet


Some risks that can occur, if you go on a long-term keto diet:

  • Lack of healthy carbohydrate intake, such as fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and carbohydrate-rich vegetables.
  • Losing the benefits of vitamins and minerals that the body needs.
  • Kidney disorders, if protein consumption exceeds the recommended portion continuously in the long term.
  • Increased risk of ketoacidosis.

Keep in mind, when you go on a keto diet, initially you may experience several complaints. This is known as " keto-flu ", which appears during the adjustment process. Some complaints that might arise are:

  • The body feels weak
  • Restless
  • Hard to sleep
  • Nausea
  • Annoying hunger
  • Decreased concentration ability

Although not always the case, these complaints can feel burdensome when starting a keto diet. Generally it will decrease, after you get used to this diet.

Consider the various benefits and risks of the keto diet, before doing so. Don't just be tempted by the benefits of rapid weight loss, because there is a risk of dangerous ketoacidosis.

Basically, whatever diet is done, it will not always give the same results to each person. So that adjusting the type of diet with conditions, needs and abilities of the body is highly recommended. If necessary, consult a doctor or nutritionist, before undergoing the keto diet.

Tags: keto diet for beginners, keto diet food list, keto diet plan for beginners, keto diet calculator, keto diet menu for beginners, keto diet explained, keto diet pills, keto diet wiki