You probably know someone who’s tried it. As we approach the New Year, when lots of people resolve to lose weight, more and more people are likely to ask about it. Check out our new evidence-based monograph on the ketogenic diet to find out more about its safety and effectiveness.
Briefly, a ketogenic diet works by tricking the body into thinking you are fasting. This causes the body to use fat rather than carbs for energy. When people talk about the “keto diet” they are usually talking about a high-fat, very low-carb diet (typically less than 50 grams of carbs daily). There is some evidence that the ketogenic diet can help reduce seizures in people with epilepsy that is hard to control with medication. There is also evidence that it might lower blood sugar in people with diabetes and help with weight loss. It’s also been studied for other conditions, such as high blood pressure, migraines, and improving athletic performance. But it's too soon to recommend the ketogenic diet for these conditions.
The keto diet is generally well tolerated in adults when used for about 1 year. Most side effects are mild, stomach related, and usually don’t require stopping the diet altogether. Some side effects can be serious, but they aren’t as common. Because of the high fat intake, some people shouldn’t try this diet - it isn’t suitable for everyone.
For more details, check out our new monograph.
The information in this brief report is intended for informational purposes only, and is meant to help users better understand health concerns. This information should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Users should consult with a qualified healthcare provider for specific questions regarding therapies, diagnosis and/or health conditions, prior to making therapeutic decisions. Copyright © 2024 NatMed. Commercial distribution or reproduction prohibited. NatMed is the leading provider of high-quality, evidence-based, clinically-relevant information on natural medicine, dietary supplements, herbs, vitamins, minerals, functional foods, diets, complementary practices, CAM modalities, exercises and medical conditions. Monograph sections include interactions with herbs, drugs, foods and labs, contraindications, depletions, dosing, toxicology, adverse effects, pregnancy and lactation data, synonyms, safety and effectiveness.
