The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet with the right ratio of protein and other nutrients. Its main principle is to change the way the body metabolizes energy, so that the body changes from using glucose for energy to using fat for energy. When dietary carbohydrates are extremely restricted to provide a large amount of fat, the glucose in the blood is quickly used up, after which it will begin to use up the energy reserves - glycogen, which is stored in the liver to provide energy for the whole body, but after 2 to 3 days, glycogen will also be depleted and insulin secretion will drop significantly. At this time, the body switches from a state that uses glucose primarily for energy to a state that uses fatty acids primarily for energy. The intermediate product of fatty acid metabolism is ketone bodies, which can enter the central nervous system through the blood-brain barrier to provide energy to the brain.
On a ketogenic diet, high fat and moderate amounts of protein are the main sources of energy**, while very low carbohydrate intake is meant to put the body into ketosis. The weight loss effect of the ketogenic diet is mainly manifested in the following aspects:
Increase satiety, reduce eating, ketones themselves have the effect of suppressing appetite.
Very low-carbohydrate diets can reduce the secretion of insulin, which promotes calorie storage, as well as the appetite-promoting ghrelin, thereby reducing active eating and preventing excess calorie storage as fat.
The use of fat for energy, that is, the process of ketosis, consumes more calories than carbohydrates, resulting in a less significant decrease in basal metabolism on the ketogenic diet.
Direct use of fat for energy and low insulin status are more effective in reducing visceral fat, but because the body is in a state of "starvation" and lacks insulin, an important synthetic hormone, it is difficult to gain muscle while on a ketogenic diet.
It is important to note that while the ketogenic diet can be effective for weight loss in the short term, long-term practice may lead to several health problems, such as unbalanced nutrition, increased cholesterol, increased burden on the kidneys, and may even increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Therefore, it is advisable to consult a doctor or dietitian before starting a ketogenic diet to ensure your health.