Ketogenic diets are widely used for intractable epilepsy as a way to control seizure. Not so long ago, it was turned to as a way to lose weight.
A ketogenic diet differs from the generally healthy eating pattern espouse in the Pinggang Pinoy and Food Pyramid for Filipinos in which carbohydrates which yield glucose is the main and preferred source of the body’s energy. The ketogenic diet is high in fat, moderate protein and low in carbs. When a person goes on a low carbohydrate diet, the glucose supply in the body gets depleted. The body has to turn to fats and protein (the muscles) for energy. Some conditions during which this happens are starvation, pathologic state as in diabetes mellitus, high fat feeding and after severe exercise. With no or little glucose, the body will break down fat which in turn, produce ketone bodies inducing a state of ketosis, a condition characterized by an increase of ketone bodies in the blood and urine. Ketone bodies eventually become the source of energy for the body including the brain instead of glucose which is the end product of carbohydrate digestion and the normal source of energy. Sure the body can adapt, but not without short and long term consequences.
Nelms and Sucher (2020) shares that ketogenic diets can be varied such that there is a classic ketogenic diet which requires strict adherence to a high fat diet and very restricted carbohydrate and limited protein; the medium chain triglyceride diet (MCT), the low-glycemic-index treatment (LGIT) which has a more generous carbohydrate intake and the modified Atkins Diet (MAD). The classic ketogenic diet is most widely used. The MCT diet allows for more liberal amounts of carbohydrates due to expensive MCT. The LGIT uses selected carbohydrate in limited amounts while the MAD restricts carbohydrates but allows liberal fat and protein. These two are less restrictive than the classic ketogenic diet. As it is, a certain type of ketogenic diet may be best under certain conditions. For instance, the classic ketogenic diet is suited for those at risk to undernutrition, enterally-fed patients, young children, and those with poor appetites. The MCT diet suits best children and adolescents who like a high carb intake and are fussier about their food choices. The MAD and LGIT may suit families, adolescents and adults who prefer a less restrictive diet and are able to design their own meals. Whatever kind, ketogenic diets are high in fats.
Ketogenic diets are low in calcium, vitamins A, B, C and many other nutrients putting one at risk to undernutrition. It is also low in fiber which is not a nutrient but much needed in the health of the digestive tract, and useful in the management of diabetes mellitus, elevated cholesterol levels and constipation and colon problem. Being low in carbs, the diet lead to a diuretic effect, a tendency to urinate more often thus increased fluid intake is recommended. Keto-flu and trouble sleeping had been reported. It should also be noted that certain meat, fish, poultry and their products are among the many foods high in fat but also high in protein increasing saturated fat and cholesterol intake thus risk to cardiovascular disease. Being high in protein also increases risk to kidney stones hence another reason for higher intake of fluids. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (2019) notes that the ketogenic Diet is not advisable for those with pancreatic, liver or gallbladder diseases and eating disorders or history thereof.
Truly, if not epileptic, a ketogenic diet is not recommended especially for long term intake until scientific evidence says so.
