Eat bacon and lose weight!?! Say “Yes!” to butter!?! Freedom to love cheese!?! You have all this once your body reaches ketosis? YES!
After the low-fat craze of the last 20+ years, the effects of ketosis, commonly known as the keto diet, is taking the “diet” world by storm! I mean, promises of bacon & cheese… Are you surprised?!
However, the true benefits of ketosis are often overlooked. Ketosis has many benefits for those NOT looking for weight loss. Let’s explore a few of those benefits to see how ketosis can drastically improve your health! Read More
How Does Ketosis Work ?
Firstly, how does ketosis work? VERY simply put: carbs we eat are found in sugar(natural or added), grains, legumes, and starchy veggies. Those carbs are converted into glucose. Glucose is burned by your body for energy. However, excess glucose is stored and eventually converted to body fat.
When you restrict your carb intake to 20 net grams it limits the amount of glucose you are consuming. You burn through your glucose stores, usually within 24 hours. Needing more energy, your body begins to burn fat (stored or newly consumed) to make ketones to fuel your body.
This process of converting fat into fuel is ketosis.
Once in ketosis, you can look forward to enjoying many health benefits. Of course, the benefits vary by person, but it can positively impact mental health, hormonal systems, physical well-being as well as gastrointestinal issues. Research is also showing the keto lifestyle even helps with the treatment of serious illnesses. Make sure you click on the highlighted links below for further reading and research in any of the areas you may be interested in!
Mental Health
The improvement in mental health is one of my favorite benefits of ketosis and a key point when I explain why I do keto. The benefits can be as simple as stabilized energy levels and improved mental clarity or more complex such as the alleviated effects of depression/anxiety.
Furthermore, on a more complex level, research is showing ketosis provides an enhancement in
Ketosis is proving to aid in the prevention as well as the treatment of a variety of neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease.
Whole Body Balance
Ketosis helps balance hormones in women who struggle with irregular cycles. Doing this lessens the effects of diseases like PCOS ultimately increasing fertility.
Inflammation symptoms are shown to be reduced/relieved by keto, including those of chronic inflammation like RA. This reduction of inflammation is effective in combatting the risks of heart disease as well.
Ketosis stabilizes blood sugars which is essential for combatting diabetes. Lower glucose also allows fat to be absorbed out of the bloodstream alleviating high blood pressure. Additionally, lower glucose helps to eliminate many common gastro agitators.
Promising Research on the Horizon
New studies show the state of ketosis can improve the effectiveness of cancer treatments. One theory on how it assists in beating cancer is by creating an alkali state in the body. This, in turn, cuts off “food” to cancers. Could you imagine a world where
Seeing the impressive benefits of keto that have been brought to light I often wonder why has taken almost 100 years for it to have its “moment”. And this is just the beginning- research is still being done!
Keto on!
Just think, all this, AND bacon?!? I find it obvious keto isn’t intended to be just a “diet” for weight loss but a long-term way of life to better your health!
Have questions? Want to share a story of how keto changed your life? Comment below, I would love to hear from you!
I am not a doctor or registered dietitian. These are my beliefs. They were formed by the research I have conducted, as a non-professional, and my personal keto journey. I recommend you seek the care of a keto-friendly practitioner before starting a weight loss program. Especially if you have any preexisting conditions or if any concerns arise during your keto journey.