Ketogenic Diet
The Ketogenic Diet is a diet that heavily restricts carbohydrate intake. The aim of the Ketogenic Diet is to induce a state of ketosis.
The brain is usually supplied with energy in the form of glucose (corn sugar = carbohydrates). If the level of blood sugar remains low over a longer period of time and the intake of carbohydrates in the food is stopped then the body begins to break up fatty acids in the adipose tissue. The body forms ketone bodies from these fatty acids which then take over the energy supply of the brain.
The state of ketosis has been reached when more ketone bodies than glucose are circulating in the blood. This state is the ultimate aim of the diet as the transformation of fatty acids to ketone bodies maximises the fat burning process.
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Ketogenic Diet: Evaluation
- For health reasons we do not recommend this diet.
- The high levels of protein in the Ketogenic Diet strain the kidneys.
- The production of uric acid increases which likewise increases the possibility of getting gout.
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Ketogenic Diets: Treatments for Epilepsy and Other Disorders, Eric H. Kossoff M.D., John Freeman, Zahava Turner, James Rubenstein
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