How To Start A Clean Keto Diet

Selection of good fat sources

Path to Improved Health

On the keto diet, the energy in your body is mostly supplied by burning fat. Your insulin level decreases, and fat burning will increase. The fastest way to get to ketosis is actually through fasting, but the keto diet allows you to still eat and feel full while working to produce more ketones.

The keto diet can help you to regulate your appetite. Keto diet participants have said that they no longer feel hungry as frequently. It can also help you to lose weight, especially because many people eat less when they cut carbs from their diets.

Some even claim that the keto diet can help to control diabetes and prediabetes because it lowers blood sugar and insulin levels.

Things to Consider

You should always speak with your doctor before beginning a new diet. The keto diet in particular is not meant for everyone. If you have any kind of diabetes, high blood pressure, liver, heart, or kidney disease, are breastfeeding or may be pregnant, the keto diet may not be for you.

Potential Side Effects

It's important to factor in the symptoms you may experience when switching to a new diet. With the keto diet, you may experience the following:

Because you will not be consuming many grains or legumes, foods that are typically high in fiber, you may experience constipation.
Your brain actually needs sugar from healthy carbohydrates to function normally. Beginning a diet that includes less carbohydrates than you are used to can cause you to have mood swings and experience difficulty focusing.
Lack of nutrients. Anyone who does not eat a variety of fruits and vegetables is always at risk for nutrient deficiency.
Liver or kidney problems. Your liver works to metabolize fat, and your kidney helps to metabolize protein. It is possible that the keto diet could overload either organ. It may also make any liver or kidney issues you already have worse.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Will following the keto diet help to manage certain diseases or conditions?
Are there side effects of switching to the keto diet?
Should I be taking vitamins or supplements while following the keto diet?
How long should I be on the keto diet?

This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.