The ketogenic diet is one of the most popular and controversial trends in recent years. Experts classify it as incomplete and risky, know the reasons
Photo: Shutterstock
In the last months everyone talks about ketogenic diet , it is a eating plan low carb and rich in fat , which has been positioned as a good method to lose weight quickly and has even been associated with great health benefits. While it is true that there is various scientific references that support the advantages of follow the keto diet , for some specialists it is a highly restrictive plan and difficult to do in the long term.
However, specifically in recent days the ketogenic diet has given a lot of to talk. And it is that as a result of the recent summary published by US News & World Report , has caused quite a bit of controversy since it was classified among the panel experts as one of the worst diets of the 2021. For be clearer about the keto diet was named the worst of 70 diets for a healthy eating and even in its less restrictive version which is known as the modified ketogenic diet , received one of the worst staying in the place 39 from the general list. It is worth mentioning that this was the first year in which US News included this version of keto diet in the ranking.
Taking into account that it is one of the most popular diets today a, it is worth analyzing more in detail. First things first: Ketogenic diet followers undergo a dietary restriction that leads them to consume about 70% of daily calories from fat and almost no carbohydrates. This restrictive feeding scheme means that the body enters a metabolic state called “ketosis” , in which the body burns fat to get power instead of using glucose. As expected the defenders of this type of eating patterns , argue that the rating given by US News than for a long time has avoided integrating into the ketogenic diet , it is too reductive. At the same time they emphasize that there is much evidence , demonstrating the benefits many people have experienced from following a ketogenic plan for years; including weight loss and higher energy levels.
Gary Taubes , author of “The Case For Keto” is one of the most loyal defenders of this trend and personally speaks of the magnificent results you have experienced. After years of unsuccessful diets , the ketogenic diet did lose body weight that in years had not achieved. At the same time, Taubes emphasizes that there are studies that cannot be ignored; s In the last year only, a number of research has come to light that has shown promising for the keto diet.
Such is the case of an analysis made in November of the year 2020 and published by Nutrition & Diabetes , in which it was found that the ketogenic diet might help people with diabetes to control the blood sugar, lose weight and improve insulin sensitivity . There is also two reports of recent cases 2021, in which it was found that the keto diet can help improve the count and the quality of the sperm. Another reference of a woman with diabetes , showed that the ketogenic diet and intermittent fasting were two meal plans of great help in controlling his diabetes, although not to lose weight. The It is true that it is a fact that many recognized critics consider that the keto diet is unsustainable for many reasons, however we cannot ignore that for many men a sounds great feed based on steak, eggs and bacon , so least at the beginning.
Within the main arguments that concern specialists in nutrition and medicine about the ketogenic diet, find that are missing long-term data. While the diet is not new , it has been used for decades in clinical settings , mainly to treat seizures difficult to control and later in recent years it emerged as a proposal for lose weight much faster and more effectively.
When the government published its latest edition of Dietary Guidelines for Americans as of late December 2021, the group of participating scientists concluded that did not have enough research to make a recommendation about it. Somehow said assertions , make it clear that the bad rating who receives the keto diet, is more related to deficiency of long-term evidence. At this point we have very little evidence , to support the benefits of following a high fat diet for reduce the risk of chronic diseases and promote longevity.
Why not the do the experts approve?
Professionals find ketogenic diet as a plan nutritionally incomplete and that may result in various long-term health risks . Taking into account that today the trend more powerful of health and nutrition , invites us to live a lifestyle and more balanced diet , it is a fact that the ketogenic diet is anything but balanced. And the main reason is simple, removes carbohydrates from whole grains rich in nutrients such as the fiber.
Also for the experts who are part of the team of US News , the high in saturated fat of the diet and in fact is considered the main concern . They emphasize that it is a diet “extremely incomplete” in the nutrition category, in a way promoting the consumption of bacon as a snack cannot be taken seriously as a way of eating that promotes health and the balance.
On the other hand the ketogenic diet , can also be unsafe particularly for people with severe diabetes, kidney disease and heart disease. A small study February 2020, also related to the ketogenic trend with more prone bones to injuries in athletes and people who perform physical activity on a recurring basis. At the same time, nutritionists recognize that this type of diet can be potentially dangerous for people at risk of eating disorders , since restrictive diets can activate anxiety , are the cause of binge eating and overeating and eventually lead to weight gain.
By way of conclusion we can say that the ketogenic trend is a topic that has given much to talk about and although as we mentioned throughout this article it has the two extremes of references on re its effects on health, there is little long-term sustenance . It is important to note that the US News ratings and government recommendations support eating patterns that benefit almost everyone (not a few). They also promote those plans that encourage a healthy and balanced lifestyle , full of colors and rich in nutrients that are obtained from the perfect balance between all food groups.
We recommend you
