What is the Ketogenic Diet?
The ketogenic diet is a special kind of diet that is a high-fat (almost 90%) and low-carbohydrate intake. This custom keto plan was specifically designed to solve muscle problems in children with epilepsy.
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects the senses, muscles, and consciousness. Be clear about the fact that epilepsy and seizures are two different terms but are related.
Epilepsy is the general term for the disorder, while seizures are symptoms of epilepsy. A person who experiences seizures does not mean he or she is diagnosed with epilepsy.
Keto diet plans were believed to limit epileptic seizures in children by cutting down their carbohydrate intake. The ketogenic diet actually began in the 1920s and became very popular.
Custom Keto diet plans gained much popularity as an alternative treatment for epilepsy. Its popularity was lost when anti-convulsive drugs went mainstream.
Many doctors and specialists have supported ketogenic diet plan since time immemorial.
How Does Ketogenic Diet Plan Help in Minimizing Seizure Episodes?
The ketogenic diet plan derives from the understanding of ketone production in the body. Ketones are the body’s by-products when it is forced to utilize fats as a source of energy rather than carbohydrates. While this is seemingly unhealthy, experts have long believed that high levels of ketones close down seizure episodes in young children.
Why Go for a Ketogenic Diet Plan?
It is said to have been effective in controlling diseases such as epilepsy, cancer, and others. The Keto diet plan is very effective for burning excessive fat in the body.
When you are not eating for a long time, it burns the extra fat off your body and provides energy.
The purpose of a ketogenic diet is to allow the body to enter the state of ketosis. This is a situation where it uses fat to produce energy instead of common carbohydrates.
A ketogenic diet is a diet that is used worldwide and started to gain popularity in the ’90s. This Keto diet recommends more than 75% of fat in a diet and 5% of carbohydrates, and 20% of protein. However, lots of people will wonder why there is a need to replace carbohydrates with fat and reduce protein intake.
The answer is that fat does not affect blood sugar, while protein occurs when taken in very high amounts.
Fifty-six percent of the excessive proteins will be changed into glucose, with the remaining part going to insulin.
This prevents the body from burning too much fat and which in turn prevents the body from entering a ketosis state.
Food that are rich in carbs content, like potato, Quinoa, Oats, etc., must be excluded from the diet.
However, the diet is not an easy one to start or to do, and your body will definitely need some time to adjust to the many changes, i.e., Ketosis State.
I suggest you read all information about the keto diet and make a custom keto diet plan for yourself and also, make sure to consult your doctor before starting it.
This diet is not as expensive as most people think of it. You can usually find it cheaper than any normal diet you have tried before.
A ketogenic diet will use every single drop of water in your body. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you keep your body very well hydrated by drinking lots of water regularly.
This particular diet is quite unpopular with some people because it contradicts their beliefs.
According to some people, the keto diet lacks minerals and vitamins because it does not allow many fruits and vitamins.
And many people believe that minerals and vitamins are effective in fighting against diseases.
Many doctors have little knowledge about the body and diet. They, therefore, have advised people that consuming too much fat can lead to a condition like high blood pressure & high cholesterol because fat is not digestible and therefore blocks the blood vessels.
They, however, fail to understand that when fat is consumed together with low-energy foods, it will be utilized by the body as the main source of energy.
Therefore, there are few chances of amassing and blocking any blood vessels. Many people who are aware of their weight, especially women, will hesitate to try this diet to gain weight.
How to Start the Ketogenic Diet Plan?
First and foremost, when taking the ketogenic diet plan, it should be tailored to the patient’s needs.
The diet must be taken gradually and stop steadily as well. Otherwise, a rebound effect will take place, and seizures may occur. In other words, the diet should be well monitored and regulated.
What are the Considerations when Taking Ketogenic Diet?
Since the person takes most of the fats in the ketogenic diet plan, regular weight monitoring is extremely essential. Taking in too many fats is unhealthy, and we all know that obesity is not good.
A person who undergoes the ketogenic diet plan may also experience side effects like constipation and high cholesterol levels. It must be mentioned that a large amount of ketones in the blood may lead to the formation of kidney stones.
On the other hand, special precautions should be taken for pregnant mothers when taking the diet plan as it may cause disruption of the menstrual cycle.
The ketogenic diet plan also restricts people from eating sweets like candy, cake, and other desserts. Essential nutrients may be partially depleted as the diet plan concentrates more on fats rather than carbohydrates and proteins.
Is a Ketogenic Diet Plan Do-it-Yourself?
Most definitely not is the answer to this question. A dietician must carefully monitor a ketogenic diet plan. The patient cannot proceed with the diet by him/herself or without medical assistance.
How effective is the Ketogenic Diet Plan?
The efficiency of a ketogenic diet plan has not ever really been established. The reviews regarding the diet are mixed as well, though few hospitals and clinics support the Ketogenic diet plan. In a trial study made in 2008, the diet was effective in half of the respondents who went on it and gave very satisfactory results in one-third of the population.