Explained: How does a Keto diet impact your body? Is it risky?
Credit: Original article published on The Indian Express
Actor Mishti Mukherjee, 27, who had worked in Bangla, Telugu and some Hindi films, died on October 2 in a hospital in Bengaluru. Her family said Mukherjee suffered from kidney failure as she had been following a ketogenic diet.
What is a ketogenic, or ‘keto’ diet, and when can it turn unhealthy?
The ketogenic diet is one of the most popular weight loss diets the world over. It is a high-fat, moderate-protein and low-carb diet that helps in weight loss by achieving ketosis — a metabolic state where the liver burns body fat and provides fuel for the body, as there is limited access to glucose.
What constitutes a keto diet?
A classic keto requires that 90 per cent of a person’s calories come from fat, six per cent from protein and four per cent from carbs. “But there are many versions doing the round, since this one was designed for children suffering from epilepsy to gain control over their seizures. Typically, popular ketogenic diets suggest an average of 70-80 per cent fat, 5-10 per cent carbohydrate, and 10-20 per cent protein,” explains nutritionist Ruchi Sharma, founder of EAT.FIT.REPEAT.
“Many versions of ketogenic diets exist, but all ban carb-rich foods. In the beginning, it may seem easier to follow a keto diet as there’s no need to count calories and the rules are very simple, but eventually adherence becomes very difficult,” she says.