Chapter 16: Five Common Keto Myths Disproved

 Although many research studies support the power of the keto diet, myths still persist about this diet. These myths trigger doubts in the minds of those who want to give it a try. Let’s read about 5 common ketogenic diet myths that have been disproved.

#1: The ketogenic diet is something new.

The keto diet was first introduced by physicians in Persia in 1911. The purpose of the diet was to treat epileptic kids and grownups, and the results were positive. We can find books about keto diets that were written between the 40s and 80s. So, it’s not a new diet at all.

#2: Keto diets can only reduce water in your body to cause weight loss

Low carb diet results in loss of water from the diet’s body, but it’s not just the loss of water that results in weight loss. At the end of a to a 6-week research study, researchers found that the participants lost gained around 3 pounds of muscle and lost around 8 pounds of body fat. So, we can say that the keto diets don’t just reduce the amount of water in the diet’s body for weight loss.

#3: The keto diet is not heart friendly

Since low-carb diets cause a rise in the amount fat and cholesterol in the diet’s body, some people think a keto diet is bad for your heart. In fact, the opposite is true. Cholesterol is of two types: low-density lipoproteins and high-density lipoproteins.

When you consume lower amount of carbohydrates, your high-density lipoproteins goes up and the triglycerides come down. So, the keto diet is healthy for your heart.

#4: Ketosis is as bad as ketoacidosis.

In ketosis, your body uses fat as a source of energy instead of carbohydrates. Ketones feed different organs of your body including the brain. Ketoacidosis, on the other hand, is a process that occurs in patients with Type 1 diabetics. Typically, the process is triggered when your body fails to absorb sugars because of lack of insulin. So, there is a clear difference between ketosis and ketoacidosis.

#5: Your brain relies on carbs to function

Unlike the popular myth, your brain doesn’t rely on carbohydrates to function properly. In fact, it works better if you are on a low-carb diet. Your body does need glucose but your liver can easily produce enough of it.

Keto diets are backed by years of scientific research, so there is no need to pay attention to these disproved myths.