Definition | Ketogenic diet – Ketogenic diet

The ketogenic diet is a diet which aims to place the organism in a situation of ketosis, i.e. to use the ketones, instead of the usual carbohydrates, as an energy source. Ketosis can also be achieved by young. The ketogenic diet consists in strongly limiting the carbohydrate intake (less than 50 grams per day) and in increasing the fat intake, keeping the protein intake constant.

To reduce carbohydrate intake, the ketogenic diet prohibits cereals, the sugars refined, sweet products, pasta, bread, potatoes, the legumes… On the other hand, the ketogenic diet admits the consumption of meats, Pisces, eggs, dairy products, unsweetened fruits, vegetables without starch (salads, spinach, cabbage, zucchini…), nuts, seeds, oils …

The health benefits of the ketogenic diet

Followers of the ketogenic diet often choose it for the purpose of losing weight and avoiding cravings. The diet is also interesting for people who want to limit their carbohydrate intake. However, there is also a risk of constipation and deficit in vitamins and minerals, because certain fruits and vegetables too rich in carbohydrates are limited or even excluded: apple, Pear, grape, carrot, onion… Talk to your doctor if you want to follow a ketogenic diet.

The ketogenic diet has long been known for epilepsy treatment. Indeed, since Antiquity, we know that fasting makes it possible to decrease the frequency of epileptic seizures. The ketogenic diet devised for epilepsy patients in 1921 was intended to mimic the effects of fasting. It returned in the 1990s and is now generating interest in others pathologies as the diabetes, the Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's and the Cancer. For example, in a little study from 2017, people in overweight and at risk for diabetes followed a ketogenic diet for one year; they lost an average of 7.9 kg, reduces their consumption of medicines and their blood sugar has improved.

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