The Keto diet is becoming more popular for a good reason. This diet is simple and delivers amazing results. Whether you want to boost brain health, increase energy, lose fat, improve blood sugar levels, or the overall health, keto might be the perfect diet you’re looking for. Nevertheless, before you get started with the keto diet, you need to take the time to understand what it is, how it works, and know the reasons to start this kind of diet now.
What’s a Keto Diet and How Does it Work?
Keto diet refers to an eating plan focusing on foods that offer lots of healthful fats and a sufficient amount of proteins but only a few carbs. The goal of the keto diet is to get more calories not from carbohydrates but fats.
Keto diet works through depleting the sugar reserves of the body. This results in the breaking down of fats for more energy. This also results in the production of certain molecules known as ketones used by the body as fuel. When the body burns fat, this can pave the way for effective weight loss. I am following some kind of diet before, but I immediately shift to a keto diet. Aside from being simple, this diet yields many good results and benefits to health.
Why Start a Keto Diet Now?
There are many good and compelling reasons to start a keto diet now. These might include but are not limited to the following:
Supports Your Weight Loss
Yes, you read that right! There have been many individuals who have lost weight on the keto diet. Now, don’t rush to start a keto diet just because you read that you could lose weight. It’s always better to consult an offline or online nutritionist before you take the plunge. People have also reported that they feel less hungry while on this diet as compared to other restricted diets out there. Weight loss comes from ketosis and decreasing calorie intake by getting rid of food groups.
Though fat is usually avoided due to its higher calorie content, studies revealed that the keto diet is more effective in terms of promoting or supporting weight loss as compared to low-fat diets. Moreover, the keto diet increases satiety and reduces hunger. These can be particularly helpful when losing weight.
Improves Heart Health
Losing even moderate weight while on a keto diet helps in lessening cardiovascular risk factors like high blood pressure and obesity resulting in lower LDL, which is known as bad cholesterol, and higher HDL or good cholesterol. This helps in protecting against life-threatening heart disease. If you care for your heart, this diet can be ideal for you since this is known to improve heart health. But remember that there are still restrictions that you need to consider.
Protects Brain Function
There is evidence that the keto diet benefits the brain. The most powerful evidence is linked to the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy in kids. There is also evidences proving that the keto diet also reduces symptoms of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Disease.
I am one of the many who were surprised to learn that a keto diet is also known to increase the number of mitochondria known as energy factory brain cells. Studies revealed that enhanced genes encoding expression for mitochondrial enzymes as well in the hippocampus. This is a part of the brain vital for memory and learning.
Lowers Blood Pressure
Hypertension or High blood pressure is undeniably a risk factor for many different diseases, including kidney failure, stroke, and heart disease. I have realized that one of the reasons why many individuals decide to get started with a keto diet is that it lowers blood pressure. Your risks of suffering from diseases are also reduced, therefore allowing you to live longer.
Improves Fitness
Research recommends that the keto diet speeds up muscle recovery, boosts fat burning, and improves endurance. Though the keto diet might not suit higher intensity activities, some research projects proved that this could enhance the performance of endurance athletes. Improving overall fitness is, therefore, one of the biggest reasons why people start a keto diet.
Conclusion
Since so much has been discussed about the Keto diet, it can be understood that it is highly beneficial for both the mind and body. Presently, many health enthusiasts are endorsing this form of diet on several social media platforms. That being said, there are several aspects of Keto diet that should be considered before embarking on a fitness journey. For example, those who are on a Keto diet should avoid starchy vegetables, sweetened yogurts, and fruit juices. There are several other restrictions that one should follow sincerely. To learn more about a Keto diet and its do’s & don’ts, consider visiting websites like 1 Raw Plant.
With all the compelling reasons mentioned above, along with the amazing benefits that a keto diet can offer, I must say that this kind of diet is worth pursuing. However, individuals have to keep in mind that the keto diet might be beneficial to specific people. It would still be best to consult your doctor and learn if the keto diet is really good for you before you get started.