The ketogenic diet is without a doubt one of the hottest express programs of the moment. This slimming plan consisting of consuming foods rich in protein and low carbohydrate. Thus, this forces the body to be in ketosis, a metabolic process that occurs when the body lacks glucose to produce energy. However, low levels of carbohydrate cause a drop in blood sugar, which therefore pushes the body to dip into the stored fat. Although generally praised, some say that this diet would not be safe. Here is the opinion of a renowned cardiologist on the matter.
Our body naturally uses glucose as the main source of energy. This molecule is generally derived from dietary carbohydrates including processed sugars and starchy foods. It breaks them down into simple sugars, which are then used to feed the body, or stores them in the liver and muscles in the form of glycogen.
However, when there is not enough glucose available to meet its energy needs, our metabolism therefore adopts an alternative strategy. It breaks down fat stores to provide glucose from triglycerides. Ketosis is a byproduct of this process.
Is the ketogenic diet dangerous for health?
Dr. Kim Williams, a famous American cardiologist and former president of the American College of Cardiology explains that no one should follow the ketogenic diet unless they want to put their lives in danger.
Indeed, in his interview to Plant Based News, he says that the concept that people change their eating habits is interesting. Nevertheless, he claims that the science behind the ketogenic diet is simply wrong. Thus, it reveals that consuming a large quantity of lipids and proteins, in particular proteins of animal origin, would be very bad for health.
In fact, the cardiologist confirms that this diet could be a good alternative for a short-term weight loss, but strongly advises against following it in the long run. To support his comments, he relies on a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, in which researchers have discovered a direct link between low carb diets and increased rates of heart attacks.
Indeed, scientists have been able to observe a 53% increase in mortality among these people. In addition, Dr. Williams says that a randomized trial that examined the effect of low-carb diets in 2007 showed that the mortality rate for people on this diet was 22%. He adds: "Do not limit yourself to these two tests, do a meta-analysis of all the published tests in the world (...) and you will find an average mortality rate of around 31%. This is not a program that people should follow unless their weight loss is more important than their life. "
Words to qualify?
According to Beth Zupec Kania, nutritionist and member of the Charlie Foundation, a nonprofit organization created after the recovery of Charlie, a baby who suffered from epileptic seizures and who saw his seizures stop within days of following a ketogenic diet, the latter may be potentially dangerous.
Nevertheless, she also claims that her side effects are very clear and can be avoided. In fact, the doctor states that she has prescribed this diet for 27 years to her patients suffering from chronic health problems and that: "The suffering that these people have suffered before starting these diets is much more important than the undesirable effects that they could suffer.
Also, in a response to Dr. Williams, she said that to support her point, it was based on research that looked at diets high in carbohydrates and low in protein. The "monumental" difference with the ketogenic diet is that the latter was certainly low in carbohydrates, but was also high in fat and contained a moderate amount of protein. To add: "Dr. Williams distorted the results of these studies because he was certainly not aware of this difference. "
We remind you that for a healthy and lasting weight loss, there is nothing like a balanced diet in addition to a regular physical activity, in addition to a good quality of sleep and sufficient hydration .
We remind you that for a healthy and lasting weight loss, there is nothing like a balanced diet in addition to a regular physical activity, in addition to a good quality of sleep and sufficient hydration .
