As you probably already know, a keto diet is an eating plan that allows you to eat food rich in healthy fats and proteins, as well as very little carbohydrates. The main idea is to get fewer calories from carbs, and more from fat. The way that this diet works is by depleting the body of its sugar reserves. The result of doing so is the production of molecules called ketones, which is where this diet got its name.
There are a few types of this eating plan as well as numerous benefits of it. In this article, we will go through some major benefits that you can get from living keto.
Weight loss
If we consider the physiology behind this diet, we know that it boosts our metabolism and reduces our appetite as well. As experts on this topic over at https://forketolife.com/ explain, the secret is that the food you eat can fill you up faster and can reduce the amount of hormones that stimulate hunger. Keto diet is becoming more and more popular every day exactly because people don’t have to starve in order to lose weight, but just follow the eating regime.
It can improve heart health
As for any diet, when you are practicing the keto eating plan, it is important to choose healthful foods. There is some evidence showing that eating healthier sources for fats, such as avocados, instead of, for instance, pork rinds, can help improve heart health by reducing levels of cholesterol.
Since high levels of cholesterol in the blood can be a trigger for many cardiovascular diseases, practicing the keto lifestyle may reduce a person’s risks of heart complications. But, as we have mentioned before, even with this type of diet, you should choose healthful foods and have a nutritionally balanced diet.
Improvement of PCOS symptoms
PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome is a common hormonal disorder that can lead to the excess production of male hormones, as well as ovulatory dysfunction and polycystic ovaries. Diets rich in carbohydrates can cause adverse effects in people with PCOS. These effects include skin problems and weight gain.
In the early 2000’s, one study has shown that a ketogenic diet improved a few markers of PCOS. These include hormone balance, weight loss, levels of fasting insulin, as well as luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
It reduces the chances of getting diabetes
As we have mentioned before, the keto diet can help in blood sugar control. Since you eliminate most carbohydrate sources on a keto diet, it is only logical that it can have a positive effect on blood sugar control, since there is less sugar in your bloodstream.
The fact that you have less sugar in your blood causes your insulin levels to lower, since your body no longer needs to manage a lot of sugar. All of this can majorly reduce the chances of you getting diabetes type 2.
Improves skin quality
Eating foods rich in processed and refined carbohydrates can alter the balance of gut bacteria, as well as the level of blood sugar, which can both majorly affect the health of your skin. Acne can of course have many different causes, but some of them can definitely be linked to diet. As we mentioned before, during the keto diet you reduce carbohydrates intake, and therefore the possibility of breakouts.
It can reduce migraines
There have been a few studies that show the connection between migraines and a ketogenic diet. The people who participated in them reported a noticeable reduction in headache frequency and drug consumption after they started practicing the keto eating plan. Since migraines are such a common issue, it couldn’t hurt to try this method if migraines are a problem that you are facing.
Inflammation
When our bodies face infection, the natural immune response that occurs is inflammation. Even though it is completely natural to face inflammation at some point, if it is persistent it can result in unpleasant symptoms such as swelling, fatigue, pain, and joint stiffness. When you are on the keto diet, your body produces ketones, specifically BHB which is a strong anti-inflammatory substance.
Even the food that you are consuming during the keto diet can have anti-inflammatory effects. Foods such as eggs, coconut oil, olive oil, avocados, as well as other foods rich in omega-3 are considered to be anti-inflammatory. Another great thing about this diet regime is that it promotes the avoidance of inflammatory foods.
To wrap things up
In the end, as all of us live different lives with different priorities, it’s vital that people do proper research regarding what suits them most when it comes to eating habits. The road to finding an optimal diet is, in most cases, one of trial and error, but after reading this article, you are now equipped with knowledge regarding the benefits of a keto diet, and that being said - be sure to try it out before dismissing it!
