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A BRIEF HISTORY of the Ketogenic Diet

The ketogenic diet, colloquially called the keto diet, is really a popular diet containing high amounts of fats, adequate protein and low carb. It is also known as a Low Carb-High Fat (LCHF) diet and a minimal carbohydrate diet.


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


The dietary plan was originally published in 1921 by Dr. Russell Wilder at the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Wilder found that putting epileptic patients on a fast helped to lessen the frequency of the symptoms. During its publication, there were few other options designed for the treatment of epilepsy.


The ketogenic diet was widely used for another several decades in treating epilepsy both in children and adults. In several epilepsy studies, about 50% of patients reported having at least 50% reduction in seizures.


However, the arrival of anticonvulsant drugs in the 1940s and afterward relegated the ketogenic diet to an "alternative" medicine. Most health care givers along with patients, found it a lot easier to use the pills compared to sticking with the strict ketogenic diet. It had been subsequently ignored in the treatment of epilepsy by most specialists.


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


Jim Abrahams created the Charlie Foundation in 1994 which helped to revive research efforts. His production of the TV movie called "First Do No Harm" starring Meryl Streep also helped to greatly promote the ketogenic diet.


The meals were designed to provide the body with the right amount of protein it requires for growth and repair. The calculation of the quantity of consumed calories was done to provide adequate amounts that will be able to support and keep maintaining the proper weight necessary for the child's height and weight.


Underlying Concepts of the Ketogenic Diet


The classic ketogenic diet includes a "fat" to a "combination of protein and carbohydrates" ratio of 4:1.


The general daily calorie break down of the ketogenic diet is really as follows:


60-80% of calorie consumption

20-25% from proteins

5-10% from carbohydrates

The ratio of the foods in a ketogenic diet is formulated to help the body induce and keep maintaining a state of ketosis.

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


Ketogenic diets basically encourage the consumption of about 20 to 50 grams of carbohydrates per day. Protein consumption is moderate and mostly depends upon factors like the gender, height and activity levels of the individual. Essentially, the entire calorie of the diet is balanced primarily based on the quantity of consumed fat.


The Fat and Protein Ratios in a Ketogenic Diet


Increased healthy fat consumption is the main focus of the ketogenic diet. Also, the purpose is to maintain the state of ketosis constantly thus allowing your body to utilize more body fat for fuel.


Your body digests fat and protein differently. Fat is arguably the body's best source of energy and in a state of ketosis, the body could make use of body fat and fat molecules equally well.


In general, fats have not a lot of effect on blood sugar and insulin production within your body. However, protein affects both these levels if consumed in huge amounts beyond what your system requires.


About 56% of the surplus ingested protein is changed into sugar. This has the effect of upsetting the ketosis state of far burning due to your body reacting to the glucose produced from the protein breakdown.


Depending on the type and source of ingested fats, a higher fat diet can be much healthier. Reducing carbohydrate intake and increasing your consumption of more fats from mostly medium-chain fatty acids will greatly improve your body's fat profile.


The ketogenic diet increases HDL (good) cholesterol levels while at exactly the same time reduces triglyceride levels. These two factors are the main markers for heart disease.


A ratio of significantly less than 2.0 in your Triglyceride-to-HDL ratio implies that you do well. However, the closer this ratio is to 1.0 or lower, the healthier your heart.


This sort of fat profile is connected with increased protection against heart attacks along with other cardiovascular problems.


Consumption of increased lean protein in the absence of adequate of levels of fats in the diet can cause "rabbit starvation." Rabbit starvation is a condition where there is an insufficient quantity of fats. This condition is seen in diets that mostly contain lean proteins.


One of the major outward indications of rabbit starvation is diarrhea. The diarrhea could become serious and may result in death. This often occurs within the first 3 days to 1 week of pure lean protein diets. If adequate levels of fats are not consumed in the succeeding days, the diarrhea can worsen and could lead to dehydration and possible death.

Read More: https://womenhealthgroup.com/keto-diet/