Ketogenic Diet

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KEY POINTS

• A ketogenic diet is very high in fat (up to 90% of calories from fat), low in carbohydrates, and low in protein. With this diet, your body breaks down fat for energy, rather than carbs.
• It is important to work with your healthcare provider and a dietitian to follow the ketogenic diet. This diet does not provide enough vitamins or minerals to stay healthy. It may be dangerous for some people.

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What is a ketogenic diet?

A ketogenic diet is very high in fat (up to 90% of calories from fat), low in carbohydrates, and low in protein. This combination changes the way energy is used in the body. Carbohydrates, or carbs, are usually the main source of energy for the body. Carbs get digested quickly and the body converts them easily into blood glucose for energy. Your body uses insulin to help move sugar from the blood into the cells. With the ketogenic diet, your body breaks down fat instead of sugar for energy. This makes byproducts called ketones.

A high level of ketones in the blood (ketosis) may be helpful in treating certain kinds of movement disorders. Research is being done to see if this type of diet will help with:

• Seizure disorders
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Huntington’s disease
• Some kinds of stroke

There are theories about how and why the diet may help the symptoms of these diseases, but no one knows for sure.

While diets such as the Atkins diet are low in carbs and high in fat, the amounts of each are very different than the ketogenic diet. Also, protein is not strictly limited in the Atkins diet.

How do I get started?

This diet can be dangerous for some people. If your body does not process fatty acids properly, your body would use its own protein for energy. If this happens, it could quickly lead to coma and death. It is important to work with your healthcare provider and a dietitian to follow the ketogenic diet.

The dietitian will develop specific meal plans based on your age, activity level, and calorie needs. Your meal plan will give the exact amount of each food that you should eat at each meal. A typical meal includes a small amount of fruit or vegetable, a protein rich food, and a source of fat such as heavy cream and butter or vegetable oil. The diet cuts out all sweets, such as candy, cookies, and desserts. Other carbs such as bread, potatoes, rice, cereals, and pasta are not allowed on the strictest form of the diet, but may be allowed on some forms of the diet.

You will slowly transition to the ketogenic diet over several days. Your healthcare provider will carefully supervise you when you follow this diet. This diet does not provide enough vitamins or minerals to stay healthy. Your provider will prescribe special vitamin and mineral supplements while you are on this diet.

Common side effects of this diet include weight loss, constipation, increased cholesterol levels, kidney stones and, in women, changes in menstrual periods.

If you are interested in this diet, talk with your healthcare provider about whether it is right for you.