For those who are unaware, the keto diet makes use of the liver’s ability to produce ketones – an alternative energy source to glucose and insulin. To make your body produce these ketones, a low-carb diet is necessary. Foods high in carbohydrates will produce glucose and insulin, which means that the fat being stored as well as the ketones will not be given a chance to be used up as energy.
The process of lowering carbs to the point that the liver starts producing ketones is known as ketosis. It isn’t necessarily starvation as you will still be consistently eating low-carb food. Instead, it’s the starvation of carbohydrates that forces the body into a proper metabolic state. Since its inception, the keto diet plan has proven to be a practical method for most – and for those who are still on the fence, here are just some of the benefits of making the ketogenic choice.
Increased mental focus all around
While the average high-carb diet produces more than enough energy to get through the day, it brings with it a certain sluggishness that makes it a challenge to stay focused. This eventual drop in energy is often unavoidable for those with diets high in carbohydrates, but for those practiced in the state of ketosis, the difference is night and day. The spikes in your blood sugar which often cause both physical and mental lethargy are entirely avoided with the keto diet, giving your brain the fuel that it needs to stay focused throughout the day.
Weight loss
While this certainly goes without saying, it’s important to take note of the fact that the weight loss from the keto diet is different from most other types of diet. The keto diet makes use of the body’s fats through ketones as a source of energy – all the while avoiding starvation. What it means is that the body avoids breaking down muscle to make up for the lack of carbohydrates. Instead, it will break down the fat with the help of the liver.
Controlled blood sugar
One of the biggest reasons to go for a keto diet is that the lack of insulin and glucose means that your body won’t suffer from spikes in blood sugar. If the blood sugar in the body is constantly at high levels, it could lead to more severe afflictions such as diabetes. In a state of ketosis, the body does not make use of insulin or glucose, thus giving the body a rest and helping it recover. It’s a win-win situation as not only does your body lose weight, it also avoids the problems that come with blood sugar.
To conclude, it’s always a good choice to go for a lower carbohydrate diet. Even if you don’t completely limit high-carbs, allowing your body to rest from the constant flow of blood sugar can go a long way to a healthier you. On the other hand, those who go for the keto diet will benefit from everything that it has to offer.
