The classic therapeutic ketogenic diet was devised in the early ’20s specifically to treat pediatric epilepsy and seizures — until the advent of anticonvulsant drugs. These diets have made it back into the news lately for their preventive health measures and innumerable health benefits. These range from sharper memory, better brain functioning (dementia, Alzheimer’s) as well as reducing your risk of heart and metabolic diseases like diabetes and insulin resistance.

Our bodies use carbohydrates as the primary source of energy/fuel to carry out day-to-day activities. Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose and other simple sugars. However, such a diet rich in simple carbs predisposes you to a host of lifestyle related diseases such as metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, cholesterol and insulin resistance. Your body uses the fuel it needs and stores the rest as fat contributing towards obesity, heart disease and other dangerous conditions. A diet rich in simple carbs and sugars also result in the dreadful sugar spikes and dips through the day causing you to get irritable and bingeing cycles that lead to weight gain, amongst other things.

On drastically reducing your consumption of simple carbs, your liver is forced to use the stored fat as fuel by converting these into fatty acids and ketones.
On drastically reducing your consumption of simple carbs, your liver is forced to use the stored fat as fuel by converting these into fatty acids and ketones. The ketone bodies pass into the brain and replace glucose as the primary energy source. This is more commonly called a ketogenic diet. It’s pretty easy to check if you are on ketosis (metabolic process where body burns existing fat for energy) with urine strips called “ketostix”, breath analysis and blood tests to check the ketone levels in the body.

Clinical trials are being run while we speak to study their efficacy in slowing or retarding mental degeneration in dementia, memory loss, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Please check with your physician/dietician if you have any concerns starting a ketogenic diet plan especially if you have a family history or predisposition towards heart disease and kidney problems.

Pros: It is particularly useful for those with insulin resistance, degenerative diseases of the brain and elite athletes who want to take their performance up a notch. It delivers fabulous results in the treatment of tremors, seizures and epileptic fits and even helps with slowing down or averting dementia, Alzheimers and Parkinsons.

Cons: It is a pretty restrictive diet that doesn’t suit everyone. It involves cutting out a lot of your favourite comfort foods so a lot of people don’t get onto the keto bandwagon unless they absolutely need to.

Tips on making a ketogenic diet work for you-

Plan your meals ahead.
Cook your meals in advance and freeze them for later.
Drink a lot of water.
Cut out all aerated drinks and caffeinated sodas.
Avoid packaged juices and smoothies.
Stick to free range, organic produce and meat at all times.
Feel free to indulge in a glass of wine once in a while.
Remember a ketogenic diet is a lifestyle more than a diet within a strict time frame. You will see greater results if you follow it over a period of time.

A day on the ketogenic diet

Breakfast: scrambled eggs and sausages (low sodium, no nitrites)
Or a stuffed omelet or frittata
Lunch: a large Cobb salad or a giant chicken or tuna salad with nuts
Dinner: steamed fish or a portion of beef stirfry or a lamb stirfry with nuts and a side of vegetables
Snacks: an apple with a sliver of natural almond butter or ½ avocado with a dash of sea salt and pepper

(The original article was published in The Sunday Guardian, which you can see here- http://www.sunday-guardian.com/young-restless/ketogenic-diets-or-how-i-stopped-rationing-bacon-and-lost-weight)