The ketosis diet plan is often referred to as the ketogenic diet or just plainly a very low-carb diet. Ketosis is the name of a biochemical phenomenon that happens during extreme carbohydrate restriction or prolonged starvation.
The term ketosis is not to be confused with ketoacidosis, which is what eventually happens to diabetics if their insulin becomes too low and their blood sugar goes completely out of whack. This is very dangerous, but it is something that only happens to diabetics (mainly type I), and there is absolutely no risk whatsoever of this happening with a ketogenic diet.
In the past, the ketogenic diet has mainly been used as a therapeutic method for controlling epileptic seizures in children who don’t respond to medication, and its use was widespread for this purpose early in the 20th century. New research has established interest in this diet plan for treating diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and many more.
When I refer to the ketosis/ketogenic diet, I am referring to a diet that is high in fat and restricted in carbohydrates to the point of blood ketone levels becoming elevated, not necessarily the “classic ketogenic diet” used to treat epileptic children. A lot of these study results should also apply to a diet that is very low in carbohydrate, without emphasis on ketone levels.
Ketosis Diet Plan and Diabetes
Eating a very low-carb, ketogenic diet can have a really good influence on both type I and type II diabetics. Less carbs mean less blood sugar and therefore less need for insulin, plus lower chances of developing some of the awful complications like diabetic neuropathy or nephropathy. Following a ketosis diet may actually be able to completely reverse type II diabetes, and drastically reduce or eliminate the need for medication (1).
The Ketosis Diet and obesity
Low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diets have been well researched with regards to obesity, and appetite suppressant effects are usually noted. In fact, when researchers are comparing low-carb to low-fat diets, they need to actively restrict calories in the low-fat or standard diet groups in order for the results to be comparable, while the low-carb group usually eats as many calories as desired (2).
Low-carbohydrate diets, despite being high in saturated fat, can improve health biomarkers such as insulin resistance, glycemic control, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride levels and change LDL pattern from small, dense type (bad) to large, fluffy type (good). No serious adverse effects have been associated with this type of diet (2).
Some like to claim that low-carb diets are restrictive and people have a hard time sticking to them, but in fact most research studies show a higher percentage of people in the low-carb groups actually completing the studies. To me this is very understandable, since the calorie restricted control group is likely to be hungry (3).
Benefits for epilepsy
Most studies on the benefit of ketogenic diets for epileptic children show a massive improvement, and this type of diet is often prescribed for kids who have been unsuccessful with two or more anticonvulsant medications. In one study, 38% of children following the diet had more than a 50% reduction in seizures, and 7% of them had a reduction greater than 90% (4).
With a modified Atkins diet, which is much less restrictive and less controlled than the classical ketogenic diet (basically the Atkins induction phase), 36% of kids had more than a 50% reduction in seizure frequency, while 21% became seizure free (5). This suggests that a conventional very low carb diet may be as effective as the classical ketogenic diet in treating epilepsy in children.
Effects on cancer progression
Cancer tumors utilize glucose as their main fuel, this fact has spiked an interest in using ketosis diets for treatment of cancer, since tumors do not readily utilize ketones. In a mouse study, a ketogenic diet was found to slow down growth of brain tumors by 35% to 65% (6, PDF).
Brain cancer patients following a low-carbohydrate, ketosis diet plan manage to consistently change the metabolic environment of the tumor, and therefore disrupt tumor metabolism by lowering glucose levels and raising ketone body levels (7).
Conclusion
These were some of the diseases that ketogenic diets have been shown to have a massive benefit for, other diseases that may benefit from a ketosis diet plan include ADHD, depression, Alzheimers, narcolepsy, heart disease, Parkinsons disease and many, many more. It is beyond the scope of a blog post to go into detail on all of these, an entire book would be more appropriate.
I don’t think there is any need for healthy people to follow a ketogenic diet, although it may have substantial health benefits, but it seems obvious that it might turn out to be the best treatment option of all for some of these diseases, often showing far more benefits than medication.
There are often some mild side effects, such as constipation, insomnia or a lack of energy for the first few days, but when you consider the adverse effects of using pharmaceutical drugs for a lifetime, these minor side effects seem like a small sacrifice.
I am looking for a Ketogenic diet site, the one you promote doesn’t seem to be ketogenic, do you have any suggestions?
Hello Jon.
My I ask why you’re interested in the ketogenic diet?
If you are wondering about the ketogenic diet and epilepsy, then this site is good:
http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/treatment_ketogenic_diet
If you’re wondering about weight loss or the health benefits then this forum here is pretty good:
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/forumdisplay.php?f=61
If you’re a generally healthy person then I don’t really recommend the ketogenic diet, I’d rather read up on the paleo diet or pretty much any diet that is centered around eating real food.
Actually I am a diabetic with some kidney damage, studies indicate it might be helpful for someone with my condition. My GP already suggested the Atkins diet, the ketogenic diet seems even better from my research.
The ketogenic diet will definitely be awesome for diabetics, but I’m not sure you will find a lot of resources on it online.
I think there’s no need for you to go the classic ketogenic route with fat as 80% of calories (that’s for epileptic children), you should definitely look in to a low-carb version of the paleo diet. That would be much more enjoyable and sustainable.
If you keep the carbs low, and try to eat more fat and moderate amounts of protein, then you should be in ketosis anyway and see awesome results.
This is a great blog about managing diabetes with diet: http://www.diabetes-warrior.net/
Also, Magnesium can really help with insulin resistance and coffee might actually be extremely beneficial too.
http://www.kriskris.com/paleo-diet-for-diabetic-patients/ (that’s not a low-carb version, which would probably show even better results)
http://www.kriskris.com/is-coffee-bad-for-you/
http://www.kriskris.com/magnesium-deficiency-symptoms/
Vitamin D might also help a lot.
A massive 19-page thread on ketogenic diets at the immunity institute forums:
http://www.longecity.org/forum/topic/20768-ketogenic-diets/
You will find a ton of resources there if you still want to go the ketogenic diet route.
I am looking for more information on the Ketogenic with regards to Parkinson’s. My husband has Parkinson’s and has heard this may help. Also, do you have more information of the food that is eaten on this diet.
Thanks.
Hello Joyce,
I wish I could give you a clear answer. I know of one study where Parkinson’s patients benefited from a ketogenic diet: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15728303
I’m unable to access the full study though, but here’s another one on ketogenic diets in general that mentions Parkinson’s a bit: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2367001/
The ketogenic diet is basically a high-fat, moderate protein, very low carb diet that encourages the production of ketone bodies in the blood to compensate for lack of glucose.
I’ve written two other articles on it:
http://www.kriskris.com/ketogenic-diet-menu/
http://www.kriskris.com/ketosis-side-effects/
You should definitely keep your doctor involved, so far there is very little scientific evidence of the ketogenic diet helping with Parkinson’s.
Hope that helps,
Kris
Hi Kris,
I am seeking relief from menopause and came across Dr. McCleary’s book, The Brain Trust Program” which suggests Krill Oil and eating ketogenically for diminishing these menopausal symptoms. I am 52 and have begun suffering from hot flashes. The flashes are beginning to give me anxiety from time to time and currently I do not take anything for it. Dr. McCleary suggest Krill oil and taking the ketone cocktail. Your thoughts?
Hello Adrienne,
that sounds like a reasonable option although I don’t really know much about treating menopause and haven’t read McCleary’s book although I’ve heard good things about it.
These links here might be helpful:
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/relieve-menopausal-hot-flashes/
http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/ketones-and-ketosis/the-brain-trust-program-krill-oil-and-menopause/
http://paleohacks.com/questions/9626/any-experience-with-how-paleo-affects-menopause#axzz1c7acPQfp
Hope that helps,
Kris
Hi Kris,
Awhile back I did a similar diet to this but under Dr. Bernstein. Does this follow the same principals? I would love to do this on my own but I am really not sure where to start my calorie intake. I need to lose around 15-20 pounds to reach my healthy weight.
Hello Cheryl,
I am not familiar with Dr. Bernstein so I can’t really answer that.
Kris,
Hi Kris,
I find “Dr. Berstein’s Diabetes Solution” (book) an excellent resource for information on a ketogenic diet for diabetics. Dr. Berstein has been a type 1 diabetic for about 65 years. He reversed most or all the diabetic complications he had (he had many) and has designed his program based on science. He is an actual doctor who treats diabetics with great success using ketogenic diets and very minimal drugs when necessary. His book is over 500 pages and full of information about every facet of diabetes including disease progression, treatments, and even covers medications and their effects. I recommend all diabetics and anyone interested in a ketogenic diet for blood glucose control or related issues should read it.
I started the Keto diet back in the beginning of November. Physically, I saw a big difference in my shape. Alot of my belly fat and “muffin” top were disappearing and eventually lost about 4 pounds. I don’t have a whole lot of weight to lose but want to trim the fat. I am having a hard time getting back into full blow ketosis since the holidays but going to cut out carbs completely for a week and then gradually add them back in. Was keeping below 20 carbs when I started this and gradually added some more in. Is it okay to cut out carbs for just a week to jump start the ketosis again?
Thanks!
I’m not sure that is a good idea. You can still be in ketosis even though it doesn’t show on the strips.
Maybe you should look into High Intensity Interval Training, I know that works well for stubborn fat.
Hi Kris,
Your website is simply great! I was just browsing and came across the ketogenic diet and noted, how helpful you were. I am about 35 pounds overweight, and my cholesterol is a bit significant, Are you able to tell me if it is OK to try this diet.
Blessings,
Bobbie
Hello!
I am thrilled to have found you, you speak my language…oh, finally! I have found myself losing weight and my glucose leveled, I have even stop taking medication by doing the Dr. Atkins (eating program) as I choose to call it. Thank you so much for all your work. Camila.
Can anyone tell me why, after years of using sunflower oil for all frying, now it always foams up and over the top of the pot? It’s academic really, because I intend to use butter or maybe olive oil in future, but I would be interested to know.
Doing really well on low carbs folks and have lost 8 pounds in less than three weeks! Really delighted.
Hi Kris
Wanting to find out if the Ketogenic Diet will help me. I have been on strict paleo for two months and seem to be losing fat from everywhere except my stomach and love handles. So far Paleo is helping my anxiety and bouts of depression and my skin has cleared up really well but the stubborn fat is a problem. I was doing crossfit for about 10 months but havent done this for a few weeks due to knee problems, although I found I was gaining weight slowly doing crossfit. I dont eat any grains, sugar, processed food and the only dairy I have is the occassional blob of organic butter on my vegies. I even stopped drinking coffee 6 weeks ago. Any ideas?
Vicki
It seems like you’re doing all the right things. I’d give it more time.
Hello Kris,
Liked your website very much. I have Parkinson’s and am thinking about adopting a low carbohydrate regime or trying a ketogenic diet such as you advocate. It is a pity that there is not more evidence on the benefits of the latter diet in respect of Parkinson’s, but someone has to try it, don’t they?
Regards
Adrian
It sure can’t hurt, although you should definitely keep your doctor involved. If you try it, let me know how it works out.
Hey Kris, interesting and well informed blog. Question though, I have a somewhat high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, do you know of any information out there on what these type of diets do to your cholesterol and blood pressure? Any info would be appreciated. I really don’t want to raise either one more by going on this type of diet plan. I do need to lose around 90lbs though.
Hi,
What eating plan would you recommend for someone in their 40′s, no disease processes, that needs to lose 30 lbs. calorie counting has not worked. Exercise is limited because of work and travel.