The Keto diet is one of the most talked about diets at the moment, but what is it, and how does it work?
Before we begin: Some of the links below are affiliate links to products we believe may interest you. If you buy something through one of those links, you won't pay a penny more, but we'll get a commission - which helps to fund this page. Thanks!
Also, please note that this article gathers together information from various online sources for interest only, and should not be taken as medical advice. Before making any changes in your diet, seek professional medical advice from your doctor.
What is the Keto Diet
The Ketogenic ('Keto') diet refers to a form of dieting where high fats, adequate protein and low carbs are consumed. Its aim is to deplete the body's reserves of glycogen (a type of sugar) so that it relies on fat and protein for energy. The body then undergoes ketosis, which is a metabolic state in which your liver produces a high number of ketones as an alternative fuel source for the brain.
Isn't that the Atkins diet?
Not quite. Atkins is a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet. A keto diet also keeps carbohydrate levels low, but instead of ramping up the amount of protein in your diet, the keto diet increases the amount of fat.
Increasing fat? How is this a diet?
It might seem strange that adding more fat to your diet can lead to weight loss, but it works. A normal diet is high in carbohydrates, which are broken down into glucose, or blood sugar, for use as energy. As glucose enters your bloodstream, your body releases insulin to store excess glucose as fat. The more carbohydrates, the more glucose. The more glucose, the more insulin, and the more insulin, the more fat.
The keto diet takes advantage of the fact that when your meals are high-fat and low-carbohydrate, there is no insulin spike, and you don't add to your fat reserves. Instead, both dietary fat and stored body fat are broken down to something called 'ketones' (hence the name "ketogenic"). Like glucose, ketones can be used for energy, keeping your body running without increasing blood sugar or putting on excess fat.
Interested in a Custom Keto Diet Plan just for you?
*Affiliate link (see above)
For more information, check out: