What Is the Ketogenic Diet?
Every now and then when I’m looking for something new to
research I come across a hidden gem. This time the gem is more common, but
brilliant nonetheless. You may have even heard of it: the Ketogenic Diet.
According to my research, this diet has proven to help people suffering from
epileptic seizures, diabetes, cancer, and even bi-polar disorder.
So what is it?
History Behind the
Ketogenic Diet
It began in Ancient Greece as a treatment for many ailments.
Although it was considered a beneficial fasting treatment, the scientific
reasoning was yet unknown. Over time it developed into a role of detoxification
that helped people control their epileptic seizures. Dr. Russell Wilder of the
Mayo Clinic ended up with the final credit, however, as his studies and trials
became popularized in the 1920s. His colleague, Mynie Peterman, tweaked the
diet and tested it on patients, discovering a great decline in patient seizures
when used.
In the late 30s, early 40s, the invention of anticonvulsant
drugs placed the diet on the backburner, and up until the 1990s, drugs were
normally used to control epilepsy. Then NBC’s “Dateline” covered a story about
a toddler that continued to have epileptic seizures despite modern means of
controlling it. The boy, Charlie Abraham, son of a Hollywood producer,
recovered while on a strict diet called the…you guessed it!...ketogenic diet.
How Does This Diet
Work?
Carbohydrates provide fuel your body needs for energy. They
also enter the small intestine and become converted to glucose, fructose, and
simple sugars. For some people, this causes problems.
The ketogenic diet is low in carbohydrates, high in fat and
adequate in protein. In this respect, it’s similar to the faddish so-called
“low carb” diets, however this diet is very strict. It provides just enough
protein for the body to grow and repair itself, and avoids carbohydrates of any
kind.
What Conditions Might
It Help?
Epileptic Seizures
When carbohydrates are not consumed, the body uses the
consumed fat as an energy source. Long story short, it elevates the ketone
bodies in the blood, therefore preventing the frequency of seizures.
Cancer
According to other research, cancer cells live off of
glucose, so if you avoid carbohydrates and sugars, the cancer cells are
deprived of glucose, starve, and die. Healthy cells, however, can burn fat to
survive and don’t need glucose.
Diabetes
A ketogenic diet can help people suffering from diabetes
because a low-carb diet can help improve blood sugar control and insulin
levels. However, it’s best to discuss with a doctor before proceeding because
suddenly quitting carbs can be dangerous to someone who is taking insulin.
Bi-Polar Disorder
When people suffering from mood swings—including people
diagnosed with bi-polar disorder—go on a ketogenic diet, they discover a vast
improvement in mood. This is because it acidifies the blood, thereby decreasing
intracellular sodium accumulation, which stabilizes mood.
Conclusion
This diet is very strict and regulated. Before attempting it
(or any diet), you need to talk to your doctor, as there are risks involved,
especially if you are taking particular medications that affect your blood
sugar levels. For people looking to simply lower their glucose levels, a
modification of this diet can also be effective. Look into the Paleo diet,
Atkins diet, or even the MCT oil diet.
As usual, I’m including links so you can do your own
research and decide if this is something you might want to attempt. Leave a
comment and let me know your thoughts. Thanks!
I had a student on this diet and it is extremely regimented and difficult if done properly. I have never heard of anyone choosing to go on it themselves, only under a doctor's orders. Not only is each morsel measured out to the last crumb but it is timed as well. For example she had to have 9 (not 8 or 10) blueberries between the times of 10-10:15. The management of such a diet for her mother was a full time job.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your reply, Pamela. I had read it is a very strict diet. I would have to say that if I felt desperate I would definitely get into my doctor's office ASAP and dive right in (say, if I had cancer and felt it was my only option), but otherwise I would rather try a modified version, as I agree, it would be a full-time job just to have it done correctly. But you have definitely given me a glimpse of how exact this diet has to be in order for it to work. I appreciate it.
DeleteHey, Kim, very interesting article. Just finished two books by Gary Taube that mentioned this topic in passing, which is why your post caught my eye. You might want to take a look at them for further info on impact of low carb eating.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Roz. I shall have to google Gary's name and find more information on the topic of low-carb diets.
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