What does ketogenic diet mean? Is ketogenic diet harmful to the body?

Among the many weight loss methods, there is a method called ketogenic diet. What does this ketogenic diet mean? Is the ketogenic diet harmful to the body?

Ketogenic diet is caused by hunger, eating a small amount of carbohydrates or no carbohydrates, which causes the body's energy supply to be impaired. Under normal circumstances, brain cells mainly rely on glucose for energy. As glucose decreases, fat metabolism increases, and a large number of ketone bodies are produced during fat metabolism. Under normal circumstances, ketone bodies can pass through the blood-brain barrier to provide a certain amount of energy to the brain. However, if ketone bodies are produced too much and cannot be completely metabolized, they will accumulate in the body and cause ketosis.

Ketogenic diet is usually harmful. If you don't pay attention, it can easily cause endocrine disorders in the body. Long-term osmotic weight loss may also cause malnutrition, dizziness and other symptoms, weaken the body's resistance, and cause symptoms of irregular menstruation in severe cases. If you want to lose weight, you can go to the hospital to lose weight through liposuction or laser lipolysis, which will cause less damage to the body.

Causes ketoacidosis

The theory of the ketogenic diet is to eliminate the physiological metabolic pathway of glucose and use ketone bodies as the body's energy source. When the daily carbohydrate intake is limited to 20 grams or less, in about 2-7 days, the liver will turn to burning fat to produce ketone bodies as a source of energy for physiological metabolism. In particular, the brain's energy source is only ketone bodies in addition to glucose. When the ketone body concentration in the blood rises above 10-25 mmol/L (mmol/L), it is called ketoacidosis. Especially for type 1 diabetics who do not use insulin appropriately, ketoacidosis will occur. This physiological metabolic problem can even be life-threatening.

Damage to the kidneys

Although the ketogenic diet can burn fat and may cause a significant weight loss in the short term, this is actually an illusion caused by a large amount of dehydration. Ketones first appear in the blood and then in the urine. Once ketosis occurs, you must drink enough water to excrete the ketones through the kidneys and urine. Otherwise, it will damage kidney function and may cause urinary system problems. However, when ketones are excreted from the body, they will also take away a large amount of water, causing cell dehydration.

Causes muscle wasting

The ketogenic diet cannot provide enough nutrients necessary for the human body, such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and phytochemicals. People with heart disease or diabetes should be especially careful and should not try it lightly. While breaking down fat, limb muscles will also be broken down and consumed, eventually leading to muscle wasting. For example, poorly controlled diabetics will not only experience ketosis, but also a significant reduction in limb muscles.

Causes cardiovascular disease

The ketogenic diet emphasizes limiting carbohydrates and proteins, but not fats. It claims that you should eat until your appetite is satisfied. However, this diet will put a great burden on the health of the heart and blood vessels because of excessive intake of fats. People with heart disease or diabetes should pay special attention to it and should not try it lightly.

Causes metabolic acidosis

The ketogenic diet can also cause metabolic acidosis in the body, which means that the pH of body fluids and tissues is acidic (pH less than 7.0). In addition to high-fat, low-carbohydrate diets, metabolic acidosis can also occur in patients with renal failure, obesity, dehydration, excessive use of aspirin and methanol, and diabetes. When the body is acidic, it inhibits the production of osteoblasts in the bones, increases osteoclasts, and increases bone loss. (Osteoblasts/osteoecutters: Bones are a living tissue composed of osteoclasts and osteoblasts, which are constantly renewed. Osteoclasts break down old bone tissue, and osteoblasts make new bone tissue.

Ketogenic diet has a certain effect. Ketogenic diet means eating less or no carbohydrates, eating some moderate protein, and consuming a lot of fat. This way, the body can produce ketones, which can break down fat and produce a sense of fullness. In addition to diet, liposuction surgery can also be done, which has a good effect on weight loss.