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Keto is more than just a diet, it is a lifestyle. Many people have adopted this lifestyle as a way to control their weight, control their diabetes and improve their health. A Keto or Ketogenic diet is a low-carb, moderate protein, high-fat diet, that can help you burn fat more effectively


What is the ketogenic diet?

A ketogenic diet uses a very low-carb diet to induce ketosis in the body. Diets such as the Atkins diet, Dukan diet, and LCHF diets, such as the banting diet, fall under this umbrella term, although the ratios of fat, protein, and carbs and other features of each diet (such as 'phases') differ.

How does ketosis work?

The body uses glucose from carbohydrate foods for energy under normal circumstances. A process called ketosis occurs when glucose is absent. In this state, fats are burned as fuel instead of carbohydrates. In the absence of carbs, the liver breaks down fat stores for energy. Energy is stored in molecules called ketone molecules. 

What is the role of the Ketogenic diet in medicine?

The ketogenic diet was initially developed for treating epilepsy in children, as it was found to reduce seizures. Using the diet in this context should not be attempted without the supervision of a medical professional. The diet was picked up by the mainstream media and marketed as a weight loss regime - it is in this context that we will discuss the diet in this article.

On a ketogenic diet, what foods are allowed?

In general, high-fat foods, fish, oils, nuts, and high-fat dairy, such as cheese, are allowed.

Obviously, cutting carbs means avoiding bread, pasta, rice, and most conventional baked goods. To achieve such low carbohydrate levels, you must also skip legumes, root vegetables, most fruits, and starchy vegetables.