KETO 101

Lee Sandwith, CEO & Co-founder at Ingfit, discusses the various elements of the Ketogenic diet and why this high protein diet is effective for weight loss

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The word keto comes from the term ketosis; a metabolic state where the body produces molecules called ketone bodies used for fuel instead of glucose. The scientific term is actually ketogenesis, which translates into generates ketones.

The body does this by using fat as the main energy source instead of carbs, essentially by converting fat into these ketone molecules. When we talk about fat, we’re talking about two things. First, dietary fat (i.e. any fat that you consume in the diet). And second, we’re talking about fat stored on your body in the form of what’s technically referred to as adipose tissue, which is just a fancy term for body fat.

The keto diet, therefore, is one which encourages the body to switch its main fuel source from glucose to ketones through the process of ketogenesis. The best way to think about ketosis is that it’s a secondary backup energy system that evolved over time to allow humans to survive and thrive during times of food scarcity. There are a number of ways to encourage the body to switch to ketosis. The most direct way is through fasting as, over time, the body will burn off any excess glucose and will need to generate the energy it needs from body fat. However, what has become popular over recent years is what’s called nutritional ketosis. This is where we drive ketosis through making changes to the diet; specifically, by keeping carbs incredibly low.

THE BENEFITS