Although diet culture seems to permeate all aspects of our lives, obesity in America is still on the rise along with other metabolic diseases, like hypertension and diabetes. Per studies conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the COVID-19 pandemic exasperated the already high number of adults living with obesity.
As a result, people have perpetuated an obsession for finding quick and easy “diet trends” in hopes of resolving their weight problems. In reality, these diets can do more harm than good. One such diet is the notorious ketogenic, more commonly known as the “keto” diet.
A ketogenic diet is characterized by a reduction in carbohydrates with a simultaneous high intake of fat and proteins. According to Harvard Health, the diet encourages people to cut off grains, vegetables, and fruits, all of which are high sources of carbohydrates. Instead, the keto diet forces the body into ketosis, which is when the body utilizes fat for energy. This process allows the body to burn more fat, which in turn helps with weight loss.
While the keto diet is paired with other therapies to treat various diseases, such as pediatric epilepsy, it is not an acceptable first line of defense in one’s weight loss journey, especially for relatively healthy adults. The keto diet is practically a staple within mainstream media; numerous celebrities and media outlets laud it for anyone looking to lose weight fast. Nonetheless, what people fail to take into consideration are the multiple health risks associated with this type of dieting.
Heather Behan, Adjunct for the Department of Nursing, believes the diet can prevent a client from quality nutrition.
She explained, “Strictly adhering to a ketogenic diet is quite difficult. Carbohydrates found in whole grains, fruit, beans, and vegetables have wonderful health benefits like phytochemicals, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that a person on a ketogenic diet might miss out on. Additionally, our brains require glucose as fuel. If someone is actively avoiding a major food group, like carbohydrates, there may be negative health effects.”
Given that carbohydrates are the body’s number one energy source, a diet that reduces the intake of this macromolecule decreases the amount of glucose the body can utilize for energy. Without the production of glucose from these carbs, the body doesn’t have enough fuel to function properly.
Alexa Clayton, a sophomore communication student, has done her own research on the ketogenic diet and its effects.
She stated, “By lowering your carb intake, your body will start to create a maintenance level to lower your carbs, which will throw your body off. It is essential that your body gets carbohydrates, protein, and fats.”
According to a study published in the Frontiers in Psychology journal, the supply of glucose to the central nervous system (CNS) becomes insufficient after only a few days of following a drastically reduced carbohydrate diet, like the keto diet. The rest of the body can utilize the fatty acids from the increased consumption of fat as an energy source. However, the CNS is unable to use these fatty acids for energy because they do not cross the blood-brain barrier. To accommodate for this lost energy source to the CNS, the liver begins to produce ketones. This can be an incredibly damaging cycle if not monitored by a healthcare provider.
Although some people believe ketosis is a result-driven weight loss technique, this process has had numerous consequences associated with its long-term use.
Clayton added, “The keto diet is advertised as a magic weight loss solution, but it has been shown to lead to serious medical risks that could potentially harm your body.” Harvard Health notes some adverse side effects of the keto diet, including liver and kidney problems, nutrient deficiency, and dizziness.
Overall, doctors recommend that the best way to attack weight loss is by consistently working out and eating at a calorie deficit while still maintaining the body’s metabolic needs. The ketogenic diet is not a safe solution to handle struggles with weight, and should only be utilized if recommended by a healthcare practitioner.
