the keto diet is becoming a trend for people seeking to lose weight quickly and significantly. but many experts believe it is not safe.
new changes to extreme weight loss are catching on in some parts of the united states. it is called the "keto diet".
advocates of this diet say it harnesses the body's own fat-burning system to help people lose significant weight in just 10 days.
it is known to help alleviate symptoms in children with epilepsy, although experts are less certain why it works.
proponents say this diet can quickly lose weight and provide more energy for people.
however, critics say dieting is an unhealthy way to lose weight and can be very dangerous in some cases.
what is ketosis?
the "keto" diet is any extremely low or carbohydrate-free diet that forces the body into a state of ketosis.
ketone occurs when people eat a low-carb or carb-free diet and molecules called ketones accumulate in their bloodstream.
low carbohydrate levels cause blood sugar levels to drop and the body begins to break down fat for energy.
ketosis is actually a mild form of ketoacidosis. ketoacidosis predominantly affects people with type 1 diabetes. in fact, it is the leading cause of death in people under 24 years of age with diabetes.
however, many experts say that ketosis itself is not necessarily harmful.
some studies have credible sources that in fact suggest that a ketogenic diet is safe for people who are significantly overweight or obese.
however, other clinical reviews have stated that patients on low-carb diets recover partial weight loss within a year.
Where to help
The ketogenic diet was created by Dr. Gianfranco Cappello, Associate Professor of Surgery at Sapienza University in Rome, Italy.
he claims to have had great success among thousands of users. in his studies, more than 19,000 dieters experienced significant, rapid weight loss with few side effects, and most remained unchanged after one year.
According to reported results, patients lost an average of 10.2 kg, or about 22 pounds, after a 2.5 cycle of the keto diet. Cappello concluded that this diet is a successful way to lose weight in overweight and obese people and that there are few side effects, such as fatigue, that are easy to control.
Bette Klein, a registered dietitian at Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital, has been using the keto diet for years to help relieve symptoms in children with epilepsy.
it is particularly effective in children with refractory epilepsy who do not respond well to treatment with at least two different drugs.
Klein said about half of these dieting children had fewer seizures.
however, dietitians say medical experts aren't sure why the diet works in these situations.
"there's no clear definition of what's going on," she said.
Sports dietitian Rudy Mawer has also found some success with the ketone diet.
he said he uses this low-carb approach for some people who have difficulty losing weight. he also has athletes who perform well in his program.
there are many benefits to this program.
one benefit is its quick results. people can quickly lose some of their initial weight, which in turn helps encourage them.
"you can get motivation through this weight loss," he said.
he added that the concept of a ketogenic diet is simple. it eliminates a food group and makes it easier for people to follow.
although there are fewer calories, he says, the diet also makes people feel full and gives them more energy. that's because he says, people are abandoning slow eating of processed foods. he added that a ketogenic diet can keep blood sugar levels stable, resulting in a more stable energy flow.
Mawer points out some drawbacks.
he says diet doesn't necessarily improve athletic performance, a fact that can frustrate some athletes.
he added that people need to strictly adhere to the plan or it will not work.
"It's a very strict diet," Mawer said. "You have to do everything right."
he noted that everyone is different and will react differently to such a plan.
"something great for one person can be terrible for another," he said.
unhealthy times
critics say the keto diet usually only works in the short term and can be unhealthy.
Lisa Cimperman, a clinical dietitian at Case Medical Center at Cleveland University Hospital in Ohio and a spokeswoman for the College of Nutrition and Nutrition, said that for beginners, much of the weight loss is the weight of water.
"once your body gets into ketosis, you also start to lose muscle, become extremely tired, and eventually go into hunger mode. then it actually becomes more difficult to lose weight.
Mawer said he doesn't believe the ketogenic diet causes muscle loss. He did warn that this is not the best option for people trying to gain muscle.
other experts interviewed had stronger warnings.
"The ketogenic diet can only be used under clinical supervision and only for a short period," said Francine Blinten, a certified clinical dietitian and public health consultant at Old Greenwich, Connecticut. "They have successfully combined chemotherapy in some cancer patients to shrink tumors and reduce seizures in people with epilepsy."
Clinton says that in the general population, the ketogenic diet should only be considered in extreme cases.
"It does more harm than good. it damages the heart, and the heart is also a muscle," she explains.
Cimperman explains that anyone with type 2 diabetes can benefit from weight loss and a low-carb diet because it improves insulin sensitivity.
"but there are many other ways to do it beyond a trendy diet that doesn't maintain weight for long," she said.
Clinton, who has used the keto diet on some cancer patients in specific situations, warns that "people will lose weight at all costs." However, the ketogenic diet does more harm than good for most patients, especially if they have any underlying kidney or liver problems.
"People use it for aesthetic reasons, but it's so extreme that it's dangerous," she said.
feeding tube method
some people take the ketogenic diet a step further, using a feeding tube that is inserted through the nose into the esophagus.
dieters adhere to a strict 800 calorie high-protein, carbohydrate-free diet, managed through a tube through a slow-drip pump mechanism. except for the liquid diet, only black coffee, tea, or water is allowed.
Oliver Di Pietro, a Florida physician, has been offering this tubular diet to anyone who can pay $1,500. According to local news reports in 2012, Di Pietro learned about the diet while traveling to Italy. He insists that the ketogenic diet is safe and effective, even for those who only want to lose a few pounds.
"It's a ridiculous way to lose weight," Cimperman said.
With an 800-calorie diet a day, "you're basically starving yourself," Cimperman says. "Of course, I'll lose weight."
any daily diet below 1,200 calories is considered a hunger diet and does not mean long-term weight loss.
she explained that tube feeding is a legal tool in a hospital setting.
"people who use ventilators, or who can't swallow because of a stroke or cancer, may have to eat in this way. but it's usually used as a last resort," she said.
Cimperman added: "In otherwise healthy individuals, it can have serious complications, including if the tubes are contaminated, an increase in sodium content can cause infection, and it can lead to dehydration and constipation. "What else would make people want to walk around with a nose intubation?"
Melinda Hemmelgarn, a registered dietitian in Columbia, Missouri, and host of the Food Sleuth radio show, said, "It's crazy to think about intubating your nose to lose weight." It seems to me that someone makes a lot of money by exploiting someone else's weaknesses. Say no to this idea. ”
Don't get hung up on weight
Hemmelgarn advises anyone who wants to go on a trendy diet to "take the food right." It's a gift. This is how we nourish ourselves and stay healthy. ”
According to Hemmelgarn, marketing this diet to the bride only affects our weight-obsessed society.
instead, anyone who is ready to get married should nourish themselves well, engage in plenty of physical activity such as walking, jogging, or cycling, and treat themselves well by eating fresh, whole, minimally processed organic foods.
Britton said there is no panacea for long-term weight loss. for long-term weight control, a Mediterranean diet based on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fish, and olive oil is a lifelong healthy way to eat.
"we fell prey to an eccentric diet, but the truth is there is no quick fix," Britton said. "reducing refined carbohydrates and replacing them with fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, reducing processed foods, and avoiding the use of too many additives will keep you healthy in the long run."
Cimperman says the healthiest way to lose weight is to set realistic goals and ask yourself if your diet plan is:
- the long-term benefits include athletic gratification
- your long-term health goals
she warned that if the answer was no, it was a red flag.
Barrington advises dieters not to skip meals, as your body will be speeding up the next time you eat. this will actually lead to you eating more, not less. she recommends eating your biggest meal at noon and then a healthy afternoon snack.
"it makes your metabolism and insulin levels more regular," she explains.
of course, exercise is also important. each pound of muscle is equivalent to burning 50 calories, so a plan that includes a muscle-building regimen will help you reach your goals faster.
Hemmelgarn added: "Stay away from fashion magazines. They made us feel like we weren't enough. If you're even thinking about this crazy way to lose weight, go for a walk... Right now! It will clear your mind. ”