The ketogenic diet or better known as the keto diet is a type of diet that is done by reducing carbohydrate consumption and increasing healthy fat consumption. The goal is to change the body’s metabolism. The scheme is like this; when the body uses ketones as an energy source, the body will burn fat as energy.
Initially, many people were skeptical about the success of this diet. They were reluctant to try it because they believed in the circulating keto diet myths. It would be good for you to know the myths and facts before trying the keto diet. Here are the things you need to know:
Myth: a person will be malnourished and lack nutrition
In fact, the keto diet is not only done for people who want an ideal weight but also for a healthier body. In addition to losing weight, here are some other benefits of the keto diet:
- Prevents diabetes, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, and neurodegenerative diseases.
- Treat inflammation.
- Prevent free radicals.
Myth: The ketogenic diet is a difficult diet to follow.
Any type of diet will be very difficult to follow, at first. Especially if you have a habit of eating unhealthy foods. However, when you want to have the body size you want, this diet is worth the struggle you do. Compared to other diets, the ketogenic diet does not limit the calories consumed.
Myth: The ketogenic diet is dangerous if done
Many people are confused about the difference between ketosis and ketoacidosis. Ketosis is the body’s natural response when carbohydrate intake in the body is very low. This means that the body uses ketones as an energy source when glucose levels are insufficient for the body’s needs.
While ketoacidosis is a lack of insulin in the body that occurs in people with diabetes. Both of these things are myths of the keto diet which are actually wrong. Both have nothing to do with the ketogenic diet.
Myth: The keto diet causes impaired brain function
One of the myths circulating is that the keto diet makes someone think. Many people think that the keto diet can make you slow. In fact, it is wrong. The keto diet actually makes you more focused and energetic.
At the beginning of the implementation, you will indeed feel very weak. This is normal because the body is adapting. Many of them complain of being very weak. But don’t worry, because the process will not take more than a week. After going through this phase, and the body does not feel the same, it means that the diet you are on is successful.
Myth: The keto diet doesn’t lose fat, but water
Many say weight loss from the keto diet is caused by the loss of water from the body. However, in reality this is not the case at all. So that fat can be used as an energy source, it enters the bloodstream. Meanwhile, fat, which binds a lot of water, cannot enter the bloodstream. The keto diet works by releasing the water content of the fat. Then the fat enters the bloodstream, where it is converted into energy.