Ketosis Effects on Health

What is Ketosis?

Ketosis is a natural metabolic process of burning stored fats when the body does not have enough glucose for energy. This process results in a build-up of body acids called ketones. Ketosis can also be encouraged by following a diet called a ketogenic or low-carb diet.

Ketogenic Diet

The Ketogenic diet, also known as Ketosis was originally intended to help patients with epilepsy. The aim of the diet is to burn unwanted fat by forcing the body to rely on fat for energy, instead of carbohydrates. This then would help reduce the number of seizures that the epileptic patients suffer.

Ketosis and Epilepsy

According to epilepsy.com, health care professionals normally recommend the ketogenic diet for kids whose seizures have not responded to many epilepsy medication. It is usually prescribed by physicians and carefully monitored by a dietitian. The way that Ketosis works is that it produces special molecules that change the brain chemistry that limits seizures. Furthermore, epilepsy.com also states that most of the kids that have been through the diet experienced half as many seizures as when they did not follow the diet. Moreover, about 15% of them even stopped experiencing seizures.

Ketosis and Weight Loss

Even though this diet was not designed for weight loss, nowadays Ketogenic diet is one of the popular diets for weight loss.

When there is no glucose in the body, which the cells normally use as a quick source of energy, the body alters for fat and produces ketones instead. When the levels of ketones rise and reach a particular point, you then reach the ketosis state. This is the state that results in a quick and constant weight loss until you get to a healthy and stable body weight. The weight loss is often notable and it happens within a short space of time, especially for individuals who begin the diet when they are very obese. When we consume less carbohydrates, our bodies release less insulin. When the insulin levels are low no extra energy is stored, instead, it uses the existing fat that is stored for energy.

Other Health Benefits of Ketosis

• Combats neurological and brain diseases
• Helps protect against cancer
• Reduces the risk of heart-related diseases
• Helps reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes
• Promotes a healthy long life

Disadvantages of Ketosis

It can be hard to stick to this diet when you can’t find ketosis inducing diets at social or formal gatherings. However, this is not the biggest problem. Even though the diet can be good for health, you can experience some side effects from it. Those include constipation, low blood sugar or indigestion, and even kidney stones or acidosis.

Take Away

It is always best to consult with a healthcare professional before you begin a Ketogenic diet, or any other diet for that matter to ensure that your body is in a state of health that can handle it. Remember to follow the instructions properly in order to reach your goal.