Principles and harms of ketogenic weight loss

Ketogenic weight loss is a relatively popular dietary weight loss method recently. It mainly achieves the purpose of consuming fat by adjusting the intake of carbohydrates in the diet. Let’s take a look at some of the shortcomings of the ketogenic weight loss method. Next, let’s learn about the basic principles and harms of ketogenic weight loss.

1. Cause ketoacidosis

The basic theory of the ketogenic diet is to eliminate the physiological metabolism of glucose and instead use ketone bodies as the source of human energy. When the daily carbohydrate intake is limited to 20 grams or less, for about 2-7 days, the liver will switch to consuming fat to produce ketone bodies, which serve as the energy source for metabolism. In particular, apart from glucose, the only energy source for the brain is ketone bodies. When the concentration of ketone bodies in the blood rises above 10-25 mmol/L (mmol/L), it is called ketoacidosis. Especially if people with type 1 diabetes do not use insulin glargine appropriately, ketoacidosis will occur. This physiological and metabolic problem can even seriously endanger life.

2. Damage kidney function

Although the ketogenic diet can consume fat and appear to significantly reduce weight in a short period of time, it is actually an illusion caused by a large amount of dehydration. Ketone bodies first appear in the blood, followed by urine. Once ketosis occurs, a certain amount of water must be consumed to excrete the ketone bodies through the kidneys in the urine. Otherwise, it will cause harm to the kidneys and may cause problems in the genitourinary system. However, when ketones are excreted from the body, they also take away a lot of water, causing body cells to become dehydrated.

3. Cause muscle wasting

The ketogenic diet cannot consume enough essential nutrients for the body, such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and plant compounds. Especially those suffering from heart disease or diabetes should be very careful and it is best not to try it casually. While fat is dissolved, body muscles will also be dissolved and consumed, reaching the point of muscle wasting. For example, patients with poorly controlled diabetes will not only develop ketosis, but also have significant reductions in body muscles.

4. Cause cardiovascular disease

The ketogenic diet focuses on limiting carbohydrates and proteins, but does not limit fat. It is called eating until your appetite is satisfied. This type of diet will put a huge strain on cardiovascular health due to excessive intake of fats. In particular, people with heart disease or diabetes should be more careful and it is best not to try it casually.

5. Cause metabolic acidosis

The ketogenic diet can also cause metabolic acidosis in the body. To put it bluntly, metabolic acidosis means that the pH in the blood and tissues is slightly acidic (pH lower than 7.0). In addition to a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet, metabolic acidosis may also occur in patients with renal failure, obesity, dehydration, excessive intake of aspirin and ethanol, and diabetes. When the body becomes acidic, it inhibits the formation of bone-forming cells in the bones, increases the number of surrounding cells, and promotes the outflow of bone hyperplasia. (Skeletal cells/skeletal cells: Bone is a living tissue, composed of bone cells and skeletal cells, and will continue to innovate. The body cells dissolve old bone hyperplasia tissue, and the bone-building cells create new bone hyperplasia tissue.