Does the Keto Diet Work

Does the Keto diet work? ​The short answer, in my opinion, is yes it does work.

To consider how and why, we first have to have a look at how we use food as fuel. We will look at the effect of carbs as fuel for our bodies and the effect of fat as fuel on the operation of our bodies. This will effectively show us the simplicity of why and how the ketogenic diet works.

The most surprising thing about the keto diet for most people is the fact that they are not constantly hungry. We look at what it is about the keto diet that manage and repress hunger.​

We will then look at what the science shows to see whether it supports a ketogenic low carb high fat diet or not.

This is a somewhat technical discussion of the processes within our body. If like me, you are interested in this type of detail, then carry on reading.

If however you are not interested in the why, but just want to get into it. Then check out the Keto Diet Rules or our Keto Diet Checklist. Just want to know what you should be eating? Then you want to check out our Keto Shopping List.

The main reason to ingest food is for survival and energy. Yeah I know, most of us may have forgotten this, because now a days we eat for many other reasons – companionship, feeding the hole inside of us and just because we feel like it.

But ultimately the body needs fuel and it has three storage depots to use as fuel:

• Carbohydrates from the food we eat
• Stored body fat and ketones
• Protein that is converted to glucose in the liver and used for energy

The crux to a healthy weight and life is how our bodies utilize our food.

We have all been told that our bodies need carbohydrates for fuel and we should preferably fuel our body with small high carb meals five times per day. Three big meals and two snacks.

With the regular standard American diet (SAD), which is really a high carb diet, the main source of fuel for the body is carbohydrates.

Let’s have a look at what happens when the body uses mostly carbohydrates as fuel.

At this time, if there are too much glucose in the bloodstream, the hormone insulin steps in to convert it, as too much sugar can lead to a dangerous condition known as glycosylation.

The human body’s storage ability to store glycogen is limited. It can only store approximately 1800 calories worth of glycogen. When the reserve becomes full, both the muscles and the liver send a signal and excess glucose from dietary carbs begins to build up in the bloodstream. This result in the release of more insulin to remove it.

Now this is just what we don’t want, but this starts a vicious cycle.