Ketogenic Diet

Excerpt

Despite continuous advances in the medical world, obesity remains a major worldwide health hazard, contributing to adult mortality as high as 2.8 million per year. This pervasive issue is closely linked to the development of chronic diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, all predominantly associated with an unhealthy lifestyle and poor dietary habits. However, implementing appropriately tailored diet regimens for weight reduction can potentially mitigate the obesity epidemic to some extent. Among these regimens, the very low-carbohydrate and high-fat ketogenic diet has emerged as a highly effective approach for rapid weight loss.

The ketogenic or keto diet is a dietary approach characterized by high-fat and low-carbohydrate intake, aiming to facilitate weight loss, enhance mental clarity, and boost energy levels. By significantly reducing carbohydrate consumption and increasing fat and protein intake, this diet induces a metabolic state called ketosis, where the body utilizes fat as its primary fuel source instead of carbohydrates. The primary goal of the ketogenic diet is to decrease overall body fat and improve metabolic health. Recent research indicates potential benefits in reducing the risk of certain diseases, including type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, heart disease, and cancer.