How Exactly Does The Keto Diet Affect Your Health

A recent review published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology looked at how low-carb and very-low-carb diets, such as keto, affect the body. They found that long-term, carb-restrictive diets had no benefit over other types of diets for weight loss. Low-carb diets, such as keto, may also restrict intake of other nutrient-dense foods that are important for heart health. A recent review published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology looked at how low-carbohydrate (10 to 25 percent of total daily calories from carbs) and very low-carb diets (less than 10 percent of total daily calories from carbs, including the ketogenic diet) affected body weight and other cardio-metabolic risk factors, such as blood lipids, glycemic control, and high blood pressure. What the National Lipid Association found was that following a very low-carb diet, such as keto, for an extended period of time had no long-term advantages. What’s more, the keto diet and other carb-restrictive diets actually may severely restrict nutrient-dense foods that can offer cardio-metabolic benefits, explained co-authors Carol Kirkpatrick, Ph.D., R.D.N., Director and Clinical Associate Professor at Idaho State University, and Kevin C. Maki, Ph.D., C.L.S., Adjunct Professor in the Department of Applied Health Sciences at the School of Public Health at Indiana University Bloomington.


The review found that while those following keto diets may see more short-term weight loss than those following low-fat diets, after 12 months or more, there is no difference in weight loss. That said, long-term compliance with these diets can be challenging, and the long-term risks-and benefits-of low-carb diets, especially keto, are not yet fully understood, noted Kirkpatrick and Maki. Starting very low-carb diets like keto can also come with some serious side effects. People may experience symptoms known as the "keto flu," which includes lightheadedness, dizziness, fatigue, difficulty exercising, poor sleep, and Nuvia Capsules constipation, said Kirkpatrick and Maki. When it comes to cholesterol, the effect of very low-carb and ketogenic diets on LDL ("bad") cholesterol is variable. Some individuals may see an increase in LDL levels with these diets, especially due to high intakes of saturated fatty acids and dietary cholesterol. Thus, baseline and follow-up lipid/lipoprotein assessments are recommended for individuals choosing to follow these diets, said Kirkpatrick and Maki.


It’s also important to note that very low-carb or keto diets are not for everyone. People with type 2 diabetes may experience hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if they don’t adjust their medication, and Nuvia Capsules those who take vitamin K-dependent anticoagulants may need more frequent monitoring due to a potential change in vitamin K intake. It’s not recommended that people who have elevated blood levels of cholesterol try the diet, and those who have atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, a history of atrial fibrillation, or the presence or history of heart failure, kidney disease, or liver disease should talk with their doctor before trying the diet. On the flip side, low and very low-carb diets lowered triglyceride levels in study participants compared to those following high-carb, low-fat diets.