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A low carbohydrate diet where you consume most of your calories from protein and fat. In this diet you cut out carbohydrates that are easy to digest in order to lose weight.

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With high fat and low carbohydrate intake, the body starts to break down fat into molecules known as ketones. These ketones can circulate in your blood and be the primary source of energy for the body instead of glucose. This is known as ketosis. This diet is used to treat types of epilepsy but now is used more as a fad diet for rapid weight loss.

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These are low-carb diets -- the basic idea is to get most of your calories from protein and fat. There are some benefits, but you should be careful with them, especially if you have certain medical issues.

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The ketogenic diet became popular as a therapy for epilepsy in the 1920s and 30s. It was developed to provide an alternative to non-mainstream fasting, which had demonstrated success as an epilepsy therapy. However, the diet was eventually largely abandoned due to the introduction of new anticonvulsant therapies. Although it emerged that most cases of epilepsy could be effectively controlled using these medications, they still failed to achieve epileptic control in around 20% to 30% of epileptics. For these individuals, and particularly children with epilepsy, the diet was re-introduced as a technique for managing the condition.

The role of fasting in the treatment of disease has been known to mankind for thousands of years and was studied in detail by ancient Greek physicians and ancient Indian physicians. An early treatise in the Hippocratic Corpus, "On the Sacred Disease," describes how alterations in diet played a role in epilepsy management. The same author also describes in "Epidemics" from the collection, how a man was cured of epilepsy when he abstained completely from consuming food or drink.

The first modern scientific study into fasting as a cure for epilepsy was conducted in France, in 1911. At the time, potassium bromide was used to treat epileptics, but this agent slowed patients' mental capabilities.. Instead, twenty epilepsy patients followed a low-calorie, vegetarian food plan that was combined with fasting. Two patients showed significant improvements, although most could not adhere to the dietary restrictions. However, the diet was found to improve the patient's mental abilities compared with the effects of taking potassium bromide.

Also during the early 20th Century, an American called Bernarr Macfadden, popularised the idea of fasting as a means of restoring health. His student osteopath, Hugh Conklin, introduced fasting as a treatment method for controlling epilepsy. Coklin proposed that epileptic seizures were caused by a toxin secreted in the intestine and suggested that fasting for 18 to 25 days could cause the toxin to dissipate. His epileptic patients were put on a "water diet," which he reported cured 90% of children with the condition and 50% of adults. Analysis of the study that was performed later showed that, in fact, 20% of Coklin's patients became seizure-free, while 50% demonstrated some improvement. The fasting therapy was soon adopted as part of mainstream therapy for epilepsy and in 1916, Dr McMurray reported to the New York Medical Journal that he had successfully treated epileptic patients by prescribing a fast, followed by a diet free of starch and sugar since 1912.

It was in 1921 that endocrinologist Rollin Woodyatt noted that three water-soluble compounds, acetone, β-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate (together called ketone bodies) were produced by the liver as a result of starvation or if they followed a diet rich in fat and low in carbohydrates. Russel Wilder from the Mayo Clinic called this the "ketogenic diet" and used it as a treatment for epilepsy, also in 1921.

Further research in the 1960s showed that more ketones are produced by medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) per unit of energy because they are transported quickly to the liver via the hepatic portal vein, as opposed to the lymphatic system. In 1971, Peter Huttenlocher devised a ketogenic diet where 60% of the calories came from MCT oil, which allowed more protein and carbohydrates to be included compared with the original ketogenic diet, meaning parents could prepare more enjoyable meals for their children with epilepsy. Many hospitals also adopted the MCT diet in place of the original ketogenic diet, although some used a combination of the two.

Further Reading

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The ketogenic diet became popular as a therapy for epilepsy in the 1920s and 30s. It was developed to provide an alternative to non-mainstream fasting, which had demonstrated success as an epilepsy therapy. However, the diet was eventually largely abandoned due to the introduction of new anticonvulsant therapies.

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A keto diet is an eating plan that focuses on foods that provide a lot of healthful fats, adequate amounts of protein, and very few carbohydrates. The goal is to get more calories from fat than from carbs.

The diet works by depleting the body of its sugar reserves. As a result, it will start to break down fat for energy. This results in the production of molecules called ketones that the body uses for fuel. When the body burns fats, it can also lead to weight loss.

There are several types of keto diet, including the Standard Ketogenic Diet and the Cyclical Ketogenic Diet.

In this article, we explain the benefits of the keto diet, as well as its risks.

Acne has several different causes and may have links to diet and blood sugar in some people.

Eating a diet high in processed and refined carbohydrates may alter the balance of gut bacteria and cause blood sugar to rise and fall significantly, both of which can adversely affect skin health.

According to a 2012 study, by decreasing carb intake, a ketogenic diet could reduce acne symptoms in some people.
Find out more about acne here.
Researchers have examined the effects of the ketogenic diet in helping prevent or even treat certain cancers.

One study found that the ketogenic diet may be a safe and suitable complementary treatment to use alongside chemotherapy and radiation therapy in people with certain cancers. This is because it would cause more oxidative stress in cancer cells than in normal cells, causing them to die.

A more recent study from 2018 suggests that because the ketogenic diet reduces blood sugar, it could also lower the risk of insulin complications. Insulin is a hormone that controls blood sugar that may have links to some cancers.

Although some research indicates that the ketogenic diet may have some benefit in cancer treatment, studies in this area are limited. Researchers need to carry out more studies to fully understand the potential benefits of the ketogenic diet in cancer prevention and treatment.

When a person follows the ketogenic diet, it is important that they choose healthful foods. Some evidence shows that eating healthful fats, such as avocados instead of less healthful fats, such as pork rinds, can help improve heart health by reducing cholesterol.

A 2017 review of studies of animals and humans on a keto diet showed that some people experienced a significant drop in levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or bad cholesterol, and triglycerides, and an increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good" cholesterol.

High levels of cholesterol can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. A keto diet's reducing effect on cholesterol may, therefore, reduce a person's risk of heart complications.

However, the review concluded that the positive effects of the diet on heart health depend on diet quality. Therefore, it's important to eat healthful, nutritionally balanced food while following the keto diet.
Discover which foods promote heart health.
Some studies, such as this 2019 review, suggest the ketones that generate during the keto diet provide neuroprotective benefits, which means they can strengthen and protect the brain and nerve cells.

For this reason, a keto diet may help a person prevent or manage conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.

However, more research is necessary into a keto diet's effects on the brain.
Find out more about Alzheimer's disease.
The ratio of fat, protein, and carbs in a keto diet alters the way the body uses energy, resulting in ketosis. Ketosis is a metabolic process during which the body uses ketone bodies for fuel.

The Epilepsy Foundation suggest that ketosis can reduce seizures in people with epilepsy - especially those who have not responded to other treatment methods. More research is necessary on how effective this is, though it seems to have the most effect on children who have focal seizures.

A 2019 review supports the hypothesis that a keto diet can support people with epilepsy. The ketogenic diet may reduce epilepsy symptoms by several different mechanisms.
Discover natural treatments for epilepsy here.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that can lead to excess male hormones, ovulatory dysfunction, and polycystic ovaries. A high-carbohydrate diet can cause adverse effects in people with PCOS, such as skin problems and weight gain.

There are not many clinical studies on the ketogenic diet and PCOS. One pilot study from 2005 examined five women over 24 weeks. The researchers found that a ketogenic diet improved several markers of PCOS, including:

weight loss

hormone balance

ratios of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

levels of fasting insulin

A different review of studies from 2019 found that a keto diet had beneficial effects for people with hormonal disorders, including PCOS and type 2 diabetes. However, they did also caution that the studies were too diverse to recommend a keto diet as a general treatment for PCOS.
Learn which foods people with PCOS should eat and avoid.
The ketogenic diet may have a range of health benefits. However, staying on the ketogenic diet long-term can have an adverse effect on health, including an increased risk of the following health problems:

kidney stones

excess protein in the blood

mineral and vitamin deficiencies

a build up of fat in the liver

The keto diet can cause adverse side effects that many people know as keto flu. These adverse effects may include:

These symptoms are especially common at the beginning of the diet as the body adjusts to its new energy source.

Some populations should avoid the keto diet, including:

people with diabetes who are insulin-dependent

people who have eating disorders

those with kidney disease or pancreatitis

women during pregnancy and breastfeeding

People who take a type of medication called sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors for type 2 diabetes should also not follow a keto diet. This medication increases the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis, a dangerous condition that increases acidity in the blood.
Read more on reasons a person might not lose weight on a keto diet.
It is important to discuss any intended diet plan with a doctor, dietitian, or trusted healthcare provider, especially for people who are trying to manage a health problem or disease.

People looking to start the keto diet should seek consultation with a doctor and check if they have diabetes, hypoglycemia, heart disease, or any other health conditions to ensure the keto diet is a safe eating pattern.

Keep in mind that studies on the long-term benefits of the ketogenic diet are lacking. It is unclear whether maintaining this diet over more extended periods is more beneficial than less restrictive healthful eating patterns.

A ketogenic diet restricts or severely limits carbohydrates. However, some carbohydrates provide health benefits. For a less restrictive dietary approach, people should consume a diet that includes a variety of nutrient-dense, fibrous carbs, such as fruits and vegetables, alongside nutritious protein sources, and healthful fats.

A:

There is a fair amount of research backing the potential benefits of the ketogenic diet, including weight loss blood sugar regulation. However, the majority of studies have only taken place over short periods of a few weeks or months.

Some studies show the benefits of following the ketogenic diet over more extended periods of up to 2 years. However, there is a lack of studies exploring the potential side effects of following a ketogenic diet for longer periods.

One recent cohort study that followed 432,179 adults over 25 years associated both high and low carbohydrate intake with a greater risk of mortality than moderate carbohydrate intake. Specifically, people who consumed more than 70% or less than 40% of calories from carbohydrates were at a higher risk of mortality.

While it is likely that you will lose weight when following the ketogenic diet correctly on a short-term basis, research suggests that it is probably not the healthiest diet to follow long-term.

If you want to try the ketogenic diet, it may be best to limit this dietary pattern to a few months, then transition back to a less restrictive diet that you can maintain long-term. No matter what diet you follow, remember to make sure you are consuming whole, nutritious foods.

Jillian Kubala, MS, RD Answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

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A keto diet is an eating plan that focuses on foods that provide a lot of healthful fats, adequate amounts of protein, and very few carbohydrates. The goal is to get more calories from fat than from carbs. The diet works by depleting the body of its sugar reserves.

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NCI's Dictionary of Cancer Terms provides easy-to-understand definitions for words and phrases related to cancer and medicine.

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The Ketogenic diet came to be in 1921 to aid in relief of epileptic seizures. It was Rollin Woodyatt that found that three water-soluble compounds (called ketone bodies) were formed by the liver as a result of starvation or a high fat low carb diet. However, the person who coined the name "ketogenic diet" was Russel Wilder from the Mayo Clinic in the same year. These were the original founders but many more researchers still study this diet today.

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Yes, many people still use the Keto diet to try to lose weight today. Many Hollywood celebrities including Kim Kardashian and Vanessa Hudgens claim to use the Keto diet.

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The benefits of Keto do seem to emphasize weight loss as a result. Many testimonials say that keto satisfies hunger and causes better sleep. Also, articles describe that Keto improves acne, reduces your risk of cancer, improves heart health, protects brain function, and reduces seizures. However, there are absolutely negatives to the Keto diet. For example, the Keto diet excludes crucial nutrients from the body. With an inbalance of high protein and fat a low carb, you basically starve your body from a fundamental macronutrient. Since carbs are the bodies preferred source of energy, you are depriving your body and not allowing it to function optimally. In all areas of life balance is key. So altering a balanced diet by basically saying no carbs can lead to decrease in energy and it can inhibit your ability to experience social events due to the restriction. Lastly, once you reintroduce carbohydrates back into the diet, it is possible to gain more weight than you lost on the diet. With all this said, this does not seem like a healthy way to lose weight and it does not support the idea of healthy living. Balance is key!

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The mom of two said that the keto diet deprives your body of essential nutrients.

"I don't understand. Like, why would anyone think this is a good idea?" Michaels, 44, said in a video for Women's Health, and she goes on to imitate a keto creator. "'You know what we need to do? All fat and animal protein!' No! Bad plan. For a million reasons."

"Your cells, your macro molecules, are literally made up of protein, fat, carbohydrates, nucleic acids. When you do not eat one of the three macro nutrients - those three things I just mentioned - you're starving yourselves," she said. "Those macro nutrients serve a very important purpose for your overall health and wellbeing. Each and every one of them."

"You don't eat processed sugar, you don't eat processed grains, and to make a very long story short: avoid the keto diet," she said. "Common sense. Balanced diet is key."

Michaels also tackled a few other hot topics, including vegetable "noodles," or zoodles. She said that they're fine, as long as people aren't eating them because they think they can't eat carbohydrates.

"Veggies are great for you, so the more vegetables you eat the better off you're going to be, right?" she explained. "With that said, carbs are not actually the devil, so if you feel like you want pasta, the key is: whole grain, go organic whenever possible so you're not getting pesticides and all the processed crap."

"Again, don't go overeat, but of course something like a zoodle is going to be better for you at the end of the day, so I'm all for it," she said. "If you feel like you just need to carb craze, if you adhere to those guidelines I set out you'll be fine. I eat carbs all the time and I'm the picture of health."

"Do not go keto. Just work out, eat clean and don't overeat. I promise you, balanced diet," she says. "It's that simple."
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This Story Originally Appeared On People

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Jillian Michaels Slams the Keto Diet: 'Why Would Anyone Think This Is a Good Idea?'

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The mom of two said that the keto diet deprives your body of essential nutrients. "I don't understand. Like, why would anyone think this is a good idea?" Michaels, 44, said in a video for Women's Health , and she goes on to imitate a keto creator.

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Issue #1: The keto diet can make you feel sick.

"People [who follow keto] often complain of flu-like symptoms when they first start the diet," said Marjoram. "They can experience headaches, nausea and feel lethargic. Some also complain of irritability, dizziness, and difficulty focusing." To better understand why this happens, we have to consider the science behind why the keto diet works. Normally, the body gets most of its energy from the carbohydrates in the food we eat, said Marjoram.

However, during the keto diet, a person drastically reduces their carbohydrate intak e, while increasing their fat consumption. The depleted levels of carbohydrates can force the body to use fat cells to produce compounds called ketones , which become the new source of energy. When this process happens, people can lose weight. However since most people aren't used to their diet consisting of only 5% carbs, this can immediately have a negative impact on energy levels.

Marjoram told INSIDER "When you make a cut [in your diet] that drastic, there's a transition that happens in your body. You don't start immediately start breaking down fat. It first has to use up the stored carbohydrates before it turns to fat for energy."

It's during the transition period that people experience "keto flu" because of all the unpleasant symptoms it produces. Your body is being shocked into this new way of processing energy, and it can be a lot to handle. Generally, these symptoms last anywhere from two to five days while the body adapts to the carbohydrate restriction, she said. However, if these problems persist for weeks, you may want to consult your physician.

Issue #2: While following keto, you may have trouble getting through your normal gym routine.

Don't be surprised if you find yourself struggling to finish your treadmill routine while on keto.

Typically the body turns to carbohydrates to keep you going during your workout . But during the keto diet, you're depriving the body of that form of fuel . While some people who follow keto may be able to easily exercise at their normal pace, research suggests that this isn't the case for everyone.

A study conducted at Saint Louis University found that a low-carbohydrate diet can actually have negative effects on a person's athletic performance by lowering their overall endurance. Other research has shown that depleted carbohydrate stores can make a person more susceptible to muscle damage during exercise and cause them to feel fatigued much faster.

Does this mean you should skip on exercising entirely? Absolutely not. But to be safe, you should consider reducing the intensity of your workouts while your body adjusts to ketosis.

Issue #3: Following the keto diet can make you feel pretty "backed up."

Although keto can cause your weight to come off rapidly, it can also cause other bodily processes to slow down -- particularly, digestion.

This occurs because people who follow the diet rarely enough dietary fiber , said Marjoram. She told INSIDER, "One thing dietitians worry about [when people follow keto] is that they are eating little to no fiber [because] carbohydrates are the primary sources of fiber." According to Mayo Clinic, f iber is an essential nutrient that helps the body maintain regular bowel movements. Generally, you can get your daily recommended amount of fiber by eating foods like whole grains, beans, and fruits. The problem is the keto diet restricts how much of these foods you can eat because they contain a lot of carbohydrates. (For reference one banana has 22 grams of carbs, and most keto plans don't allow more than 20 to 50 grams of net carbs for the entire day.) On top of that, the plan encourages you to eat a high level of fat, which can cause you to feel even more constipated .

Issue #4: Your ketosis may also give you halitosis.

If you started keto recently, you may have noticed an unusual stench coming from your mouth. While this is a pretty embarrassing side effect, rest assured you're not alone. When the body experiences ketosis, it means the liver is using fat cells to produce organic compounds called ketones . These include acetoacetic acid, acetone, and beta-hydroxybutyric acid. And while this is all happening at the cellular level, these byproducts have a tendency to show up in your breath . "When your body starts to break down fat for energy, gases called ketones are produced, " said Marjoram. "The body [then] releases those ketones [through exhalation and urination.]" As a result, during the first week or two of the keto diet, people may complain that their breath has unpleasant, or even ammonia-like smell. Some people even report that their mouths because if you recall, acetone is an ingredient found in that beauty product. smelling distinctly like nail polish remover

On the bright side, this stench can signal that your keto diet is effective because it usually means the body has achieved fat-burning that ketosis state.

In the meantime, if you're concerned, it's can be a good idea to drink more water and be extra mindful of your oral hygiene.

Issue #5: Keto can make you exceptionally thirsty.

Normally, when you something like a piece of toast, the body converts the carbs from that toast into glucose. This stimulates the pancreas to start making a hormone called insulin, which carries some of that glucose to your cells for energy while it stores the rest as glycogen. According to Healthline , this glycogen acts a special reserve for energy that the body uses to keep you going in between meals. Meanwhile, the elevated insulin levels that made this possible cause your kidneys to retain sodium.

But when you're not eating that many carbohydrates, your body isn't going to be producing that same amount of insulin.

Instead, the elevated levels of ketones disrupts your overall electrolyte levels. This causes the kidneys to release water and salt, which leads to frequent urination and consequently, a loss of fluids .

When this happens, you're likely to experience a dry mouth a lot faster than you normally would, especially if you're not drinking enough water.

Issue #6 : Ketosis can seriously lower your alcohol tolerance.

If you're currently on the keto diet, you may have noticed that you feel tipsy a lot faster when sipping your favorite adult beverage. You also may have noticed that you suddenly experience some pretty gnarly hangovers, too.

This is because when you're not eating a lot of carbs, your body can be more susceptible to alcohol's effects. Remember those glycogen stores mentioned before? Normally these energy reserves help to absorb the alcohol that goes into the bloodstream. But when you're on keto, your body doesn't have as much glycogen as usual, which means there are fewer places for the alcohol to go once it enters your digestive system. Instead, the alcohol moves to the liver where it becomes rapidly metabolized. Cue your blood alcohol concentration rising and you feeling drunk .

For this reason, keto followers should take extra precaution before deciding to ingest any liquor. Plus, tons of alcoholic drinks contain carbs, so it's tough to drink on plan anyway.

Of course, it's a good idea to limit your alcohol consumption regardless of whether you're on keto or not. But if you want to minimize your chance of experiencing a severe hangover, you may want to lay off the drinking entirely while in ketosis.

Issue #7: It can be challenging to sustain the keto diet long-term because of how restrictive it is.

Given the physical effects ketosis can have on the body, adopting a keto lifestyle for the long haul may not be the right choice for everyone.

For one, there's the fact that it's very restrictive. Following the keto diet eliminates most fruits and many starchy vegetables because of their high carbohydrate content. This seriously limits the variety in the types of meals a person can enjoy. Although little research has been done into how the keto diet specifically affects the body on a long-term basis, Marjoram said following any diet plan that eliminates or severely limits entire food groups is generally not advised for optimal health. Consider that while many vegetables have high levels of carbs, they also contain some essential vitamins and nutrients the body needs to be healthy. Even though following a low-carb diet may help you lose weight, skipping out on these foods in lieu of less nutrient-dense foods can lead to deficiencies down the road.

Issue #8: It's possible for the weight you lose during keto to come back rapidly once you stop the diet.

Marjoram told INSIDER, " A lot of people may lose weight in the short term, but as soon as they reintroduce carbohydrates and get back to a normal way of eating, the weight comes right back." This is because unlike other diets, keto relies on the very specific process of ketosis in order for it to be effective. As a result, once the body is no longer in that state, it can be easy for a person to pack on the pounds if they aren't careful of how much they're eating.

Marjoram added, "That's the science of how metabolism works. Your body is not meant to be in ketosis [for an extended period of time]." You can avoid potentially regaining weight after stopping keto by transitioning to a more balanced, plant-based diet.

Issue #9: And despite your efforts, you might not lose any weight at all.

It turns out getting into ketosis and maintaining isn't exactly as easy as cutting out bread. Even if you successfully keep your carbohydrate intake below a certain level for a few days, it can be easy to send your body out of ketosis by simply eating a few extra grams of carbs. Marjoram added, "[On the keto diet] You're forcing this physiological state by eliminating carbohydrates. Once you start eating carbs again, you're right back out of ketosis." Moreover, some research suggests that because keto is not necessarily a high-protein diet, it can be challenging to feel satiated from your meals. You may be compensating for your hunger by adding extra fat, like butter to your meals. But keep in mind that doing this also means you're increasing the number of calories you're eating, too. You can, however, help alleviate this by eating high protein and keto. While keto isn't necessarily a calorie-restrictive diet, it's still possible to overeat while following the plan. Instead, try incorporating more non-starchy vegetables into your low-carb regiment, like spinach. You can eat three full cups of spinach for only three grams of carbs per serving and less than 50 calories overall.

Issue #10: Some believe keto may mess with your cholesterol levels and affect your overall health.

Although many people enjoy that keto allows them the freedom to eat tasty foods like burgers and bacon, it turns out this perk may be too good to be true. In fact, this may even be detrimental to your overall health.

Marjoram told INSIDER, "Research shows a high-fat diet, particularly one [that contains] saturated fat and trans fat n egatively impacts your blood cholesterol leve l." Unlike other low-carb diets, keto relies on high fat consumption more than high protein to be effective. If you're not careful about the kinds of fats you're eating , it's likely that you'll see an increase in LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, aka the "bad cholesterol."

It is worth noting that o ther studies have found that people on keto saw a decrease in LDL cholesterol, so it's possible the reverse is true but more research is needed.
In addition, Marjoram said it's also possible for the keto diet to raise your risk of developing kidney stone s, which can be painful. This is linked to increased protein consumption , which causes an overwhelming amount of acid to impact the kidneys. Although keto encourages people to eat a higher ratio of fat than protein, it's still possible to overindulge on animal proteins, like hamburgers, while following the plan. Still, Marjoram notes that further research is needed to better understand the long term effects of the keto diet on healthy individuals.

More: Features keto Diet Fitness

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10 of the biggest downsides of the keto diet

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Issue #1: The keto diet can make you feel sick. "People [who follow keto] often complain of flu-like symptoms when they first start the diet," said Marjoram. "They can experience headaches, nausea and feel lethargic. Some also complain of irritability, dizziness, and difficulty focusing."

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- Some people experience the "Keto flu" on the first week of the diet when their body is going into ketosis.
- Most people need to take supplements on this diet
- Prolonged ketosis can damage your body

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When people hear that you can change your metabolism so your body burns fat instead of carbs for fuel, they tend to be skeptical. But that's exactly what the Keto diet claims to do. It's a new trend for weight loss that's been gaining more and more followers in recent years. You may have heard of it!

Check out these 10 things you probably didn't know about the keto diet, though:

Surprising Facts about the Keto Diet

1. The Keto Diet Wasn't Originally Developed for Weight Loss

2. This Diet is Extra Low Carb Compared to Other Options

3. You Can Eat A Lot of Different Foods on the Keto Diet

4. Berries are Good for Keto But Most Fruit Isn't

Surprisingly, most fruits are too high in carbs to comply with this diet. Low sugar berries are acceptable, though.

5. You Consume a Large Amount of Fat on this Diet

6. Ketu Flu is One of the Diet's Possible Side Effects

7. Ketosis Literally Changes Your Metabolism

8. Supplements are Often Needed with this Diet

9. Your Ketosis Can Go Too Far

10. The Common Weight Loss Rate With This Diet Varies

Does the Keto Diet Work?

With all these interesting facts in mind, you may still be wondering if the keto diet actually works for weight loss. Theories suggest that the keto diet:

Decreases food cravings

Decreases appetite-stimulating hormones

Increases calorie burning

Promotes fat loss

However, the diet is not proven to be highly effective for weight loss yet. It also can have negative side effects and may do harm if you stay in ketosis for too long.

As you consider whether or not to give this diet a try, remember that exercise is essential for healthy and sustainable weight loss (regardless of the diet you choose.) Sign up for your FREE 30-Day VIP Pass at Texas Family Fitness today.

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10 Things You Didn't Know About the Keto Diet

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When people hear that you can change your metabolism so your body burns fat instead of carbs for fuel, they tend to be skeptical. But that's exactly what the Keto diet claims to do. It's a new trend for weight loss that's been gaining more and more followers in recent years.