In short, the diet is very low in carbohydrates and high in good fats. It is ideal for boosting the functioning of mitochondria. They are our energy centers present in the heart of all our cells. Good fats are also important for maintaining your body’s electrical system.
When your body is able to burn fat for fuel, your liver then manufactures water-soluble fats: ketones. They burn much better than carbohydrates. Ketones generate far fewer reactive oxygen species and secondary free radicals. Ketones continue directly to decrease inflammation, improve glucose metabolism and promote the development of muscle mass. A study has shown that a low-sugar diet reduces the amount of fat in the liver by more than 20% in just nine days.
The benefits of the ketogenic diet
The ketogenic diet provides many significant health benefits. It might just be the “revolutionary” method you’ve been looking for if you have weight issues or suffer from any chronic illness. Here are some of the most significant benefits of this program:
Weightloss
By rebalancing your body’s chemistry, losing weight or managing weight is almost effortless. Studies have shown that the ketogenic diet can double weight loss compared to a low-fat diet.
Reduction of inflammation
When burned as fuel, fat releases far fewer secondary free radicals than sugar. Ketones are also highly effective histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, which effectively reduce inflammatory responses. Many drugs currently being developed to treat inflammatory diseases linked to the immune system are also HDAC inhibitors. The ketogenic diet is a safer and more sensible method. Because it is one of the most effective ways to reduce chronic inflammation via HDAC inhibition.
Cancer risk reduction
While all cells (including cancer cells) can use glucose for fuel, cancer cells lack the metabolic flexibility to use ketones. While normal cells thrive on these fats. When your body enters a state of nutritional ketosis, it is better able to eliminate cancer cells through a process called autophagy. The ketogenic diet is a fundamental and essential tool that should be incorporated into the treatment of virtually all types of cancers.
Increase in muscle mass
Ketones spare branched chain amino acids, and thus promote the development of muscle mass.
Reduction of insulin level
Keeping insulin levels low helps prevent insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and related diseases. Research has shown that people with diabetes who follow a low-carb ketogenic diet are able to significantly reduce their intake of anti-diabetic medications. Or even reverse their disease. Reducing your insulin resistance also lowers your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Recent research has further strengthened the link between insulin resistance and dementia. Especially in people with heart disease.
mental clarity
One of the first things people notice when they start burning fat for fuel is the disappearance of any “mental confusion” they may have felt before. They suddenly manage to think very clearly. Ketones are a prime fuel source for the brain, hence improving mental clarity.
Increase in life expectancy
One of the reasons why it is possible to survive a very long time without eating is the process of ketosis, which avoids the breakdown of proteins. People who follow a ketogenic diet have been fairly consistently found to increase their blood levels of leucine and other important structural proteins. This allows these proteins to perform many important signaling functions. Ketones have similar properties to calorie restriction (fasting), which prolongs lifespan. In particular by improving glucose metabolism, reducing inflammation, eliminating dysfunctional cells.
In addition, the ketogenic diet helps reduce IGF-1, which is one of the factors regulating developmental pathways and genes. It is a major player in the acceleration of aging.