The ketogenic diet, colloquially called the ketogenic diet, is a popular diet that contains high amounts of fat, adequate protein, and low carbohydrate content. It is also known as the low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet (LCHF) and the low-carbohydrate diet.
It was formulated primarily for the treatment of epilepsy that does not respond to medications for the disease.
The diet was originally published in 1921 by Dr. Russell Wilder at the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Wilder found that fasting epileptic patients helped reduce the frequency of symptoms. At the time of publication, few options were available for the treatment of epilepsy.
The ketogenic diet was widely used for the next several decades to treat epilepsy in both children and adults. In several epilepsy studies, about 50% of patients reported having at least a 50% reduction in seizures.
However, the advent of anti-seizure medications in the 1940s and later relegated the ketogenic diet to “alternative” medicine. Most health professionals, as well as patients, found it much easier to use the pills compared to following the strict ketogenic diet. Later it was ignored in the treatment of epilepsy by most specialists.
In 1993, Hollywood producer Jim Abrahams sparked renewed interest in the ketogenic diet. Abraham had his 2-year-old son, Charlie, brought to Johns Hopkins Hospital for epilepsy treatment. Charlie experienced rapid seizure control within days of using the ketogenic diet.
Jim Abrahams created the Charlie Foundation in 1994, which helped jump-start research efforts. His production of the TV movie called “First Do No Harm” starring Meryl Streep also helped heavily promote the ketogenic diet.
The meals were designed to provide the body with the correct amount of protein it needs to grow and repair itself. The calculation of the number of calories consumed was done to provide adequate amounts to support and maintain the appropriate weight needed for the child’s height and weight.
Underlying Concepts of the Ketogenic Diet
The classic ketogenic diet has a ratio of “fats” to a “combination of proteins and carbohydrates” of 4:1.
The general breakdown of daily calories for the ketogenic diet is as follows:
- 60-80% of calories from fat
- 20-25% protein
- 5-10% carbohydrates
The ratio of foods in a ketogenic diet is formulated to help the body induce and maintain a state of ketosis.
However, the keto landscape has expanded considerably in both application and implementation. While the classic ketogenic diet is still widely used today, it has now formed the basis for the development of several alternative ketogenic protocols.
Ketogenic diets basically encourage the intake of around 20 to 50 grams of carbohydrates per day. Protein consumption is moderate and depends mainly on factors such as gender, height and activity levels of the individual. Essentially, the total number of calories in the diet is balanced primarily by the amount of fat consumed.
The proportions of fat and protein in a ketogenic diet
Increasing your intake of healthy fats is the main focus of the ketogenic diet. Also, the purpose is to maintain ketosis at all times, which allows your body to use more body fat for fuel.
The body digests fat and protein differently. Fat is arguably the body’s best source of energy, and in a state of ketosis, the body can utilize body fat and dietary fat equally well.
In general, fats have a very limited effect on blood sugar levels and insulin production in your body. However, protein affects both levels if consumed in large amounts beyond what your body requires.
About 56% of excess protein ingested is converted to sugar. This has the effect of altering the state of fat burning ketosis as a result of the body’s reaction to glucose created from protein breakdown.
Depending on the type and source of fat eaten, a high-fat diet can be much healthier. Reducing your carbohydrate intake and increasing your intake of more saturated fat, mostly medium chain fatty acids, will greatly improve your body fat profile.
The ketogenic diet increases HDL (good) cholesterol levels while simultaneously lowering triglyceride levels. These two factors are the main markers of heart disease.
A ratio of less than 2.0 in your triglyceride to HDL ratio means you’re doing just fine. However, the closer this ratio is to 1.0 or less, the healthier your heart will be.
This type of fat profile is associated with greater protection against heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems.
Increased lean protein intake in the absence of adequate amounts of dietary fat can cause “rabbit starvation.” Rabbit starvation is a condition in which there is an insufficient amount of fats. This condition is seen in diets consisting primarily of lean protein.
One of the main symptoms of rabbit starvation is diarrhea. Diarrhea can often become severe and can cause death. This often occurs within the first 3 days to a week of pure lean protein diets. If adequate amounts of fat are not consumed in the following days, the diarrhea can worsen and lead to dehydration and possible death.