Ketogenic diet also known as “keto diet” is the term used for a
diet with high-fat level, moderate protein, and low carbohydrates. Keto diet
forces the metabolism of the body to burn fats rather than carbohydrates. Under
normal circumstances, our diet mostly contains carbohydrates. The metabolism
mechanism of our body metabolizes the starches into simpler glucose. That
glucose is then transported as a source of energy for every cell of our body.
If the carbohydrates in our diet are limited, then our liver converts fat into the
fatty acids which on metabolism produces ketone bodies. The ketone bodies are
then used as a source of energy. This enhanced level of ketone bodies in our
body is known as ‘ketosis’.
Recent studies have revealed
that the keto diet has a lot of health benefits against several diseases,
especially epilepsy in children and diabetes in adults. The ketogenic diet is
also useful for weight loss and recommended by many doctors.
Mode
of Action of Keto Diet
A keto diet is a low
carb, high fat and adequate protein diet that has been explicitly designed and
become popular in recent years. The most important feature of a keto diet is
the production of ketone bodies that are principally β-hydroxy butane,
acetoacetate, and acetone. These are the products of fatty acid oxidation in
the liver. Ketone bodies are the alternative substance to glucose for energy
production. Keto diet has prime importance nowadays as an application in the
treatment of various disorders, especially epilepsy.
Metabolic
Mechanism
The actual mechanism of action of the keto diet is not known.
There are many hypotheses proposed for the possible explanation of the workings
of a keto diet. A lot of changes occur in the brain and body due to a keto
diet.
·
The critical aspect of
a keto diet is the lack of carbohydrates in the daily routine. The standard
mechanism of the body is the metabolism of carbohydrates into glucose which is
the first product for energy production. In keto diet, to compensate the energy
needs, fatty acids are substituted as the fuel source.
·
In the absence of
glucose in the diet, the ketone bodies are synthesized by the oxidation of
fats. This process is also known as ketosis. These ketone bodies are the
principal method for energy production for the body.
·
Mitochondria is the primary cell structure involved in the
production of energy for body needs. In the keto diet, as there is a high
concentration of fats, energy production is shifted to fats from carbs.
This shift of
mechanism leads to various changes in the body. One of the most significant
changes is that this shift can act as the anticonvulsants for epilepsy
patients. The other critical applications of this change are weight loss,
treatment of various disorders like diabetes and hypertension. Any extra fat stored
around the abdomen is also burnt using the keto diet, which makes the body slim
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