Popular in the United States and other parts of the world, the keto diet has been used by medical experts and professionals to treat seizures and epilepsy. In recent years the keto diet has become popular among people trying to build muscle and lose weight. Primarily, the keto diet involves elimination of the intake of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Low or no consumption of these foods causes a drop in blood sugar levels and the body begins to break down stored fats to use as energy. Even though many people have sworn on the keto diet as focused diet when it comes to weight loss, there are numerous controversies surrounding it. Plenty of research and evidence indicates that the keto diet is potentially harmful because of detrimental effects that lead to the development of diabetes, cardiovascular complications, and other side effects like high cholesterol, obesity, and nutrients deficiency such as iron and fiber.
The keto diet may have detrimental metabolic effects likely to result in the development of diabetes. In a recent study carried out to investigate long term effects of the keto diet, results indicate that after prolonged use there is glucose intolerance and insulin resistance (Ellenbroek et al, 2014). The researchers used a sample population of mice. At the beginning of the implementation of the keto diet on mice lost weight but from the 22 nd week onwards, there was no weight loss. Instead, there was glucose intolerance that resulted in insufficient secretion of insulin from the beta cells. Findings from this study indicate that long-term intake of low fat and carbohydrates resulted in features associated with the metabolic syndrome as well as increased risk for type 2 diabetes in human beings.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Notably, the keto diet leaves one short of nutrients. Admittedly, many have lost weight from the keto diet but that is no surprise. It is really hard to consume mere fats and limit oneself on the intake of proteins, carbs, and processed foods. People on the keto diet experience low appetite due to high amounts of ketones in the blood which automatically leads to weight loss. However, that does not imply that they lose weight healthfully. Furthermore the Standard American Diet provides that one should consume a balanced diet that is made of proteins, dairy, fruits, grains, legumes, and seeds to get a variety of nutrients necessary for a healthy-functioning body (Ellenbroek et al, 2014). On the keto diet grains and legumes are pretty avoided yet they are sources of rich nutrients like fiber and antioxidants such as Vitamin A and C. Keto dieters experience vomiting, iron deficiency and constipation due to lack of fiber in the diet. In a ten year study that was conducted on the keto diet and its epilepsy management in children, the findings indicate shortage of nutrients. Results indicate 15% iron deficiency, 65% constipation and 13% vomiting (Wibisono et al, 2015).
Besides iron deficiency, there has been clinical evidence of biotin deficiency in experimental mice. Mice consuming the keto diet experienced loss of hair as well as dermatitis within the first nine weeks (Wibisono et al, 2015). The research suggests that individuals who are on the keto diet are likely to be deficient in biotin and may require additional supplements.
Another argument against the keto diet is the consumption of a high-fat diet which causes obesity. Today, obesity is ranked as one of America’s health concerns because of the impacts it has and how much it is an economic burden. In a recent study of the long-term effects of keto diet, the scholars criticize opponents citing that a high percentage of dietary fat does not necessarily promote weight gain (Kosinski & Jornayvaz, 2017). Logically, however, fat has a higher calorific density than carbohydrates. Therefore consumption of a high-fat diet as recommended by the keto diet is accompanied by higher energy intake. Further the study reveals that obesity is the root cause of chronic diseases. An obese person is independently associated with the development of cardiovascular complications, type II diabetes and other forms of cancer. Diets with high glycemic loads are likely to have elevated glucose levels in the body. Risks that follow the high glycemic index include coronary heart diseases.
It is also worth noting that another disadvantage of the keto diet is the hardening and stiffening of arteries due to glucose intolerance. This puts the individuals on keto diet at a higher risk for cardiovascular diseases as opposed to lowering the risk. At the beginning of any new diet, it becomes difficult for individuals to adjust. In a study of ten children, the first eight weeks were hard to adjust with children exhibiting improved mood (Ellenbroek, 2017). After the eight weeks, however, the moods decreased due to lower levels of serotonin in the brain and limited consumption of carbohydrates. The levels of stress are also linked to cardiovascular complications.
Plenty of research and evidence indicates that the keto diet is potentially harmful because of detrimental effects that lead to development of diabetes, cardiovascular complications, and other side effects like high cholesterol, obesity, and nutrients deficiency such as iron and fiber. As illustrated in the findings of previously done research on keto diet, there are numerous complications and side effects associated with it. The findings are reliable and valid. The keto diet has gained so much popularity because of the extent to which people can go to lose weight. As a Family nurse practitioner, I would share the information with my patients because clearly there is more harm than good in the keto diet. Unless recommended by a health practitioner, the dangers of the keto diet should be known to everyone before use in primary health care.
References
Ellenbroek, J. H., van Dijck, L., Töns, H. A., Rabelink, T. J., Carlotti, F., Ballieux, B. E., & de Koning, E. J. (2014). Long-term ketogenic diet causes glucose intolerance and reduced β-and α-cell mass but no weight loss in mice. American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism , 306 (5), E552-E558.
Kosinski, C., & Jornayvaz, F. R. (2017). Effects of ketogenic diets on cardiovascular risk factors: evidence from animal and human studies. Nutrients , 9 (5), 517.
Wibisono, C., Rowe, N., Beavis, E., Kepreotes, H., Mackie, F. E., Lawson, J. A., & Cardamone, M. (2015). Ten-year single-center experience of the ketogenic diet: factors influencing efficacy, tolerability, and compliance. The Journal of pediatrics , 166 (4), 1030-1036.
