A brief overview of the ketogenic diet

The ketogenic diet, colloquially called the ketogenic diet, is a popular diet that contains high amounts of fat, adequate protein, and low carbohydrate content. It is also known as a low-carbohydrate, high-fat (LCHF) diet and a low-carbohydrate diet.

It was formulated primarily for the treatment of epilepsy that did not respond to medications for the disease.

The diet was originally published in 1921 by Dr. Russell Wilder at the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Wilder found that fasting epileptic patients helped reduce the frequency of symptoms. At the time of publication, there were few other options available for the treatment of epilepsy.

The ketogenic diet was widely used over the next several decades to treat epilepsy in both children and adults. In various epilepsy studies, about 50% of patients reported having at least a 50% reduction in seizures.

However, the advent of anticonvulsant drugs in the 1940s and subsequently relegated the ketogenic diet to an “alternative” medicine. Most doctors, as well as patients, found it much easier to use the pills compared to following the strict ketogenic diet. Subsequently, most of the specialists ignored him in the treatment of epilepsy.

In 1993, Hollywood producer Jim Abrahams sparked a renewed interest in the ketogenic diet. Abraham had his 2-year-old son, Charlie, taken to Johns Hopkins Hospital for treatment of epilepsy. Charlie experienced rapid seizure control within days of using the ketogenic diet.

Jim Abrahams created the Charlie Foundation in 1994, which helped jump-start research efforts. Her production of the TV movie “First Do No Harm” starring Meryl Streep also helped heavily promote the ketogenic diet.

Meals are designed to provide the body with the proper amount of protein it needs to grow and repair itself. The calculation of the amount of calories consumed was carried out to provide adequate amounts that can support and maintain the appropriate weight necessary for the height and weight of the child.

Underlying concepts of the ketogenic diet

The classic ketogenic diet has a ratio of “fat” to a “protein and carbohydrate combination” of 4: 1.

The general breakdown of daily calories on the ketogenic diet is as follows:

• 60-80% of calories from fat

• 20-25% protein

• 5-10% carbohydrates

The proportion of foods in a ketogenic diet is formulated to help the body induce and maintain a state of ketosis.

However, the ketogenic landscape has expanded considerably in both its application and implementation. While the classic ketogenic diet is still widely used today, it has now formed the basis for the development of several alternative ketogenic protocols.

Ketogenic diets basically encourage your intake of around 20 to 50 grams of carbohydrates per day. Protein consumption is moderate and depends mainly on factors such as gender, height and activity levels of the individual. Essentially, the total calories in the diet are balanced primarily based on the amount of fat consumed.

The proportions of fat and protein on a ketogenic diet

Increasing the consumption of healthy fats is the main focus of the ketogenic diet. Also, the purpose is to maintain ketosis at all times, allowing your body to use more body fat for fuel.

The body digests fat and protein differently. Fat is possibly the body’s best source of energy, and in a state of ketosis, the body can use body fat and dietary fat equally well.

In general, fats have a very limited effect on blood sugar levels and insulin production in your body. However, protein affects both levels if consumed in large amounts beyond what your body requires.

About 56% of the excess protein ingested turns into sugar. This has the effect of altering the far-burning ketosis state as a result of the body’s reaction to glucose created from the breakdown of proteins.

Depending on the type and source of fat ingested, a high-fat diet can be much healthier. Reducing your carbohydrate intake and increasing your intake of more saturated fats, primarily medium chain fatty acids, will greatly improve your body’s fat profile.

The ketogenic diet raises HDL (good) cholesterol levels while lowering triglyceride levels at the same time. These two factors are the main markers of heart disease.

A ratio of less than 2.0 to your triglyceride to HDL ratio means you’re doing well. However, the closer this ratio is to 1.0 or less, the healthier your heart will be.

This type of fat profile is associated with increased protection against heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems.

Consuming more lean protein in the absence of adequate amounts of dietary fat can cause “rabbit hunger.” Rabbit starvation is a condition in which there is insufficient fat. This condition is seen in diets that consist primarily of lean protein.

One of the main symptoms of starvation in rabbits is diarrhea. Diarrhea can often become severe and lead to death. This often occurs within the first 3 days to a week of pure lean protein diets. If adequate amounts of fat are not consumed in the following days, diarrhea can worsen and lead to dehydration and possible death.