It seems like every other day there is a new fad diet that claims will help us lead healthier lives, get in shape, and stay in shape. You’ve probably heard of people on the “keto” diet, just as you might have seen being on a raw food diet a few years ago. This article aims to simplify the basic idea behind ketogenic dieting, so you can make an informed decision about your choice in lifestyle.
Defining The Keto Diet And It’s Popularity
Basically, this is any diet that aims to allow the body to achieve a state of ketosis. Generally, that is a low carb, high fat diet. It is very popular among social media influencers, celebrities, housewives, and many more people. For example, Greekgodx weight loss can be attributed entirely to his keto diet. The idea behind ketogenic dieting is to force the body to stop using carbs as a source of fuel, but to use fats instead. Thus ensues the fat burning.
Methods Used To Achieve Ketosis
As we’ve previously mentioned, ketosis is achieved by a diet that is high in fats and low in carbs. This is where we get trends like hamburgers without a bun – wrapped in lettuce. Some people are even replacing the bread in their sandwiches with a dill pickle! Several diet pills claim to force the body into ketosis as well. Another popular method of achieving ketosis (albeit temporarily) is intermittent fasting.
What Is Ketosis Anyway?
It is a natural process that occurs in your body when food is scarce. In prehistoric times, humans might wait days and even weeks before they find something edible to eat – be it a hunted animal or a plant based food. So our bodies evolved to quickly convert any carbohydrates to stored fats. Note that carbs are usually found in plants such as grains – which may only be edible for a few months a year. Much later, when food is scarce during the winters – the body can metabolize the stored fats to make energy needed for survival. The second process is known as ketogenesis – when the body makes ketones from fats. The body is said to be in a state of ketosis.
Because our lives have changed drastically since the times of prehistoric man, the aforementioned processes have different functions in our life. Storing sugar as fats? That’s the sugar rush we get, which turns into a sugar cycle that causes many of us to gain weight substantially. On the other hand, ketosis can be induced by changing our diets – essentially we are tricking our bodies into believing they are starving. Our bodies respond in the only way they know how – to rely on fats stores.
Note that while this concept sounds simple in theory, there are more complex factors at play, and it’s best to consult with a medical profession or nutritionist before you make such a drastic change in your lifestyle. You can probably achieve fast results from the keto diet, but be sure to follow a diet plan from a professional that know what they’re doing.
