A ketogenic (or ‘keto’) diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that is designed to induce a state of ketosis in the body. It requires that more than 70% of one’s total energy comes from fat while limiting carbohydrate intake to a maximum of 50g per day. A Keto diet should also offer adequate but not excessive protein. This change in macronutrient provision causes one’s metabolism to stop burning carbohydrates and to transition over to fat (1).

In this way ketosis is induced, allowing the brain to run on ketone bodies, including acetoacetate, 3-beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetone. It is thought that this fuel is a cleaner fuel with fewer by-products than glucose (carbohydrates).

This can result in some remarkable benefits, including tight blood glucose control and improvement in diabetes, weight loss, epilepsy management, acne reduction, and an improvement in heart health and brain function (2).  As with many strict diets it can also lead to nutrient deficiencies, constipation, and social isolation. The high amount of fat included in the diet means that LDL cholesterol levels increase (2). This is acceptable as a stand alone indicator, however, if this is accompanied by blood glucose spikes then there is an increased risk of heart disease (3). Such spikes are rare in those who are conscientiously following a keto diet as one of the primary benefits of the diet is blood glucose control.

It’s important to approach a keto diet with caution. Not everyone is a good candidate for this type of diet and it is not a sustainable solution for long-term weight loss and maintenance. We suggest not following this diet if you have gall bladder, liver or kidney disease, or have a past eating disorder (1).

Individuals considering a keto diet should consult with their healthcare provider to determine if it’s a safe and appropriate option for them.

If you do decide to follow a keto diet for any period of time, Seymour is an excellent option for you. Not only have we tagged our specifically keto items with a keto icon, but you can also rest easy knowing that all of our items are created and produced according to strict macronutrient guidelines and include a wide variety of nutrient-dense foods.

By selecting the keto items, you can be sure that you will optimise the benefits of keto while mitigating the side-effects.

1: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/should-you-try-the-keto-diet

2: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319196#2-improves-acne

3: https://www.nursingtimes.net/news/research-and-innovation/study-says-theres-no-link-between-cholesterol-and-heart-disease-20-06-2016/#:~:text=Conclusion,all-cause or cardiovascular mortality.

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