Ketosis Diet

Ketogenic diet is colloquially used for low carbohydrate diet, in which the meal menu is strictly planned to provide low carb, sufficient protein and optimal fats. In medical science, ketogenic diet is prescribed for managing epilepsy in young children. Seeing the weight loss effects of this dieting strategy, it is then purported as a means to shed extra kilos. The working mechanism of ketosis diet is same as reducing simple energy sources and inducing the body to use fats for providing energy.

What is Ketosis Diet?

The ketogenic diet was developed for the first time in the Johns Hopkins Hospital, and it has been around for about 80 years. The main objective behind following this diet is to starve the body by limiting glucose intake, which is the main source of energy. In such a condition, the body starts utilizing stored fats and fats from the food for meeting the energy requirements. If the trend continues, an individual having accumulated body fats benefits in losing weight after some time.

The term 'ketosis diet' is coined as people who follow this diet strategy experiences ketosis during the dieting period. As there is no carbohydrate in the body, the liver organ converts fats into fatty acids, during which ketone bodies are released to serve as energy sources. This natural process of metabolizing fats that occurs due to lack of carbohydrates in the body is known as ketosis. The same body responses are observed, when an individual is fasting or starving.

Ketosis Diet Plan

Following a ketogenic diet for weight loss requires a thorough understanding about the said dieting program. Consuming regular diet loaded with balanced nutrients and then switching on to low carb diet will result in health conditions, especially in the initial period when the body tries to adjust to the dietary changes. Hence, prior to starting this weight loss diet, it is best to consult a trusted doctor for minimizing medical conditions. If the doctor gives a positive signal, then only proceed with ketosis diet.

Planning the diet menu is no different from deciding the menu for low carb diet program. As expected, you will find that the ketosis diet foods contain very low carbohydrates, but are enriched with high percentage of fats. Consuming foods containing fats is necessary, so as to maintain ketosis state during the dieting period. Foods to be consumed in the ketosis low carb diet are high fat meat (chicken, beef, pork), fish, vegetables, fruits, less salty hard cheese and Swiss cheese. Foods to be avoided in ketogenic diet plan are starchy vegetables, fruits, pasta, bread and white rice.

Side Effects of a Ketosis Diet

As far as the effectiveness of the ketosis diet for weight loss is concerned, the after results are impressive for some dieters, while others complain of health complications. While on the ketosis diet, increased weakness is quite obvious, since the body is starved and there is no supply of glucose, sugar or simple carbohydrates. Other side effects that may be manifested after following this high fat, low carb diet are headache, body ache, general discomfort, bad breath, irritability and depression.

The popular fad diets, like Atkins diet and South Beach Diet follow the ketosis diet mechanism for burning fats. Whichever approaches you have selected, subjecting your body to sudden dietary changes and continuing the same for an extended period may cause certain adverse effects. According to health experts, the dangers of ketogenic diet are more for dieters, who do not perform physical activities after consuming high fat diet. On a concluding note, every prospective dieter should gather information about ketosis diet and the probable side effects, prior to actually starting the diet program.