Ketogenic Diet: What is it and How Does it Affect My Body?

Have you heard about the new ketogenic diet trend?  Are you thinking about starting on a ketogenic diet?  Low-carbohydrate and very low-carbohydrate (also known as ketogenic) diets are popular for people that are looking for a quick weight loss, lower cholesterol levels, and improved diabetes management. Before you start here are some facts to consider before you start.

The Facts about the Ketogenic Diet:
The basis of the ketogenic diet is the brain's ability to utilize ketones, as an energy source. If you are a biochemistry or metabolism major you know that ketones are the products of fat breakdown. You may be thinking that is exactly what I want…. my brain tells body to break down fat so that = less fat and more muscle tone, perfect!

Image source: sunuaradiet.atspace.co.uk

Well…… it is not so black and white, and here is why:

Under normal conditions, your brain derives most of its energy from glucose. Under fasting conditions, hormonal changes causes your body release fats and uses it as an energy source.  When fats breakdown in the body it causes elevated ketones in your blood.  This can be dangerous and here’s why.

This state alters your body’s chemistry (pH for you chemistry majors) leading to possible decrease in phosphate in your blood, decrease in brain function and increase in your risk of kidney stones and weakened bone strength (osteoporosis). Ketogenic diets have also been shown to induce a higher percentage of headaches, halitosis (yuck- bad breath!), constipation, diarrhea, general weakness, rash, insomnia, and back pain among participants in one study.

Something else to consider: The ketogenic diet was originally intended to help those with seizure disorders such as epilepsy.  Furthermore, scientists believe further investigation is needed for what happens when people eat this way for a prolonged period. Many clinical trials on the subject center on short-term trials and cannot account for long-term effects. Don’t be the guinea pig!

If weight-loss is what you are looking for then consider a balanced approach to food.  Eat in moderation and focus on plant-based, nutrient-dense foods rich in fiber that provide a wide array of protective antioxidants, vitamins, and phytochemicals, while the scientists figure out if the ketogenic diet is safe long term.  MyPlate is a great resource and a good place to start: http://www.choosemyplate.gov or meet with the UC San Diego FitLife dietitian, Prashila Mistry, MS, RD, CLEC for more information. recreation.ucsd.edu/fitlife-programs/wellness/nutritional-services.html

References:
1. Al-Khalifa, A, Mathew, TC, Al-Zaid, NS (2009) Therapeutic role of low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet in diabetes. Nutrition 25: pp. 1177-1185.
2. Brehm, BJ, Seeley, RJ, Daniels, SR (2003) A randomized trial comparing a very low carbohydrate diet and a calorie-restricted low fat diet on body weight and cardiovascular risk factors in healthy women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 88: pp. 1617-1623
3. Veech, RL (2004) The therapeutic implications of ketone bodies: the effects of ketone bodies in pathological conditions: ketosis, ketogenic diet, redox states, insulin resistance, and mitochondrial metabolism. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fat Acids 70: pp. 309-319

Guest blog submitted by: Jalak Patel, MS, UC San Diego Medical Center Dietetic Intern and edited by FitLife Dietitian, Prashila Mistry, MS, RD, CLEC.