Why KETO Isn't Worth It

You might be caught up in the hype of Ketogenic dieting and the many beneficial aspects of it. Undeniably there are good aspects to this diet but the good can't exist without adversity. This post will familiarize you with the truth hidden in plain sight. After reading this you will wish you heard some of these topics when Ketogenic dieting was first introduced to you. We will shed some light on Its Compatibility with genetics & The value of Carbohydrates

Compatibility With Genetics

So you think your body can adapt and handle anything you throw at it right? We adopted in the past so why not again? There is some truth in that but our genetics have limits too. Having free-floating triglycerides(fats) in our bloodstream has never happened in the history of our physiology until now. For instance, let's take a look at your gallbladder which stores the bile that is made in your liver. Bile is extremely essential for fat metabolism. When your doing a keto diet the ever prominent fats in your bloodstream forces your body to overproduce bile which is not only hard on your gallbladder and liver but also has guaranteed negative effects to your digestive system. Furthermore, if you have pre-existing kidney or gallbladder diseases an over or underproduction of bile can lead to an improper breakdown of fats resulting in kidney damage over prolonged periods of time. Aswell high amounts of triglycerides circulating in the blood for a prolonged period of time can also lead to acute pancreatitis which is severe abdominal pain. In severe acute pancreatitis, parts of the pancreas may die (called necrotizing pancreatitis), and body fluid may escape into the abdominal cavity, which decreases blood volume and results in a large drop in blood pressure, possibly causing shock and organ failure. Severe acute pancreatitis can be life-threatening(Short term Keto wouldn't have this severe of a consequence, but more appropriate for those who choose a keto lifestyle). The high fat keto diet, gallstones, and alcohol abuse are all known causes of acute pancreatitis because it causes an increase in circulating fats(YES A KETO LIFESTYLE CAN DO THE SAME DAMAGE AS ALCOHOL ABUSE!!! LITERAL POISON). Not to mention the lack of diversity in your microbiome(Digestive tract). This would Have a detrimental effect on your immune system & mental health.

The Value of Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates have a lot of good to bring to the table. They aren't just your brains primary or preferable fuel source but also what your physiology is in coherence with. Carbohydrates also participate in the recognition events of molecular recognition processes. Such interactions with other biomolecules (nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids) which are fundamental to life and disease[1]. Yes, it is true that your body can do the runaround and provide carbohydrates where and when necessary but we will dive into the way it primarily obtains them why it is more beneficial to acquire them through diet. First, let's look at gluconeogenesis. Yup, what a mouth-full. This is a process where your body breaks down proteins into amino acids and converts these amino acids into a fuel source known as glucose (Hence GLUCO-neogenesis). It can also use lactate or glycerol as pre-prescribed glucose sources. So indeed it is true that on a ketogenic diet your body may resort to gluconeogenesis in order to supply enough carbohydrates to your CNS(Central Nervous System), cells, liver and other body structures that require it. Excess protein consumption can also result in gluconeogenesis but generally, we see those who do keto extremely restricting carbohydrates in order to achieve ketosis or low blood glucose levels, with the body utilizing fat as its primary fuel. Ask yourself why would it make sense to deprive yourself of the one vital macronutrient that arguably is the most important to your quality of life. Ever heard a healthy functioning brain equals a healthy functioning body? Well, it does! Some studies show that low carb diets like keto can result in reduced memory ability and below average cognition. A 25,000-person study presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Munich suggested that people on the lowest-carb diets had the highest risk of dying from cancer, cardiovascular conditions, and all other causes[2}. Now just like anything too much of something can be more bad than good so I'm not suggesting you go out there and consume 500g of carbohydrates from pasta but properly incorporating them into your macronutrient profile for the day is the best thing to do. Often in keto, the goal of Ketosis outweighs overall health because the achievement becomes the idea of health itself which is a dangerous game to play on a cellular level. Restricting your body and brain to 10 g of carbohydrates doesn't just have negative effects on cognitive health and function but also leads to a deprivation of trace minerals and micronutrients commonly found in vegetables and other carbohydrate-based foods. These trace minerals are essential for enzyme and hormone production as well as overall health. Deprivation of these can lead to a less than minimally diverse microbiome that is directly linked to mood, hormonal balance, fat burning, and many, MANY other things.

This is why Ketogenic Dieting Started as a FAD diet and should forever remain as a FAD diet. Its a Great diet for short term use and a lot of people have had success with it so my goal is not by any means to discredit it. I advocate for all that is capable of changing a life for the better & it clearly has the ability to do so. I'm also a firm believer that transparency is key and everyone deserves to see an idea from all angles, not just head on. Like I always say in these blogs, you have only one body so be aware of how your actions impact it! Put your health above all else!

~STRIATIONSfitness~

I do not claim ownership of any of the photos. All rights to the original owners.

Sources:

[1] Figure 2f from: Irimia R, Gottschling M (2016) Taxonomic revision of Rochefortia Sw. (Ehretiaceae, Boraginales). Biodiversity Data Journal 4: e7720. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.4.e772

[2]“7 Dangers of Going Keto.” Health.com, www.health.com/weight-loss/keto-diet-side-effects.

[3]“Acute Pancreatitis Symptoms, Treatment & Causes - Digestive Disorders.” Merck Manuals Consumer Version, Merck Manuals, www.merckmanuals.com/home/digestive-disorders/pancreatitis/acute-pancreatitis.

...this is why fasting is a far better option;)