Keto unhealthy???

I don't know about keto being dangerous. I researched it when I was starting mfp. It had too many food restrictions for me and wouldn't have been sustainable.

It'll be interesting to see the responses you get as to people being on it long term.

chixy18 wrote: »

Everything i am researching shows that keto is a great way to loose weight.... but its bad for long term, its ment for 30-90 days to kickstart you. But then your very likely to gain it back do to its restrictivness. Also puts you at a high risk of diabetes and heart disease. Wouldnt it be smarter to just do low carb and work out n watch what you eat instead of cutting all carbs n putting so much fat into your body? Keto also breaks down muscle mass....give me your thoughts!?

The "jump start" keto gives you is water weight.

I have questions myself personally about the long term health effects of eating very low carb and high fat, but I don't believe there is agreement among experts whether it is unhealthy or not. That would be between you and your doctor.

The key to maintaining muscle mass while you lose weight is to not lose too quickly, focus on strength training, and get enough protein, regardless of what diet or eating plan you choose.

All diets work over the long term by putting you in a calorie deficit. You don't have to eat any specific way to lose weight. People here have lost eating low carb, high carb, keto, vegan, paleo, shakes, fasting, or just calorie counting whatever they want to eat.

Eat in whatever way makes it easiest for you to stay in a deficit, that is practical, and makes you feel energetic and well. :drinker:

I think it is one of those deals that if something bad is found it won't be for quite some time yet and even when it is found it may still come back as less risk than staying overweight/obese.

If you draw a big enough circle there will always be some people who will have an adverse reaction to a change in their diet if they stick with it long enough. These people would have a pre-disposition to the problem or a pre-existing condition that they may or may not have known about. Since keto, like all diets, has a revolving door of users it will be hard to know or link cause and effect. Short term the biggest problem is that people jump into it unprepared and dump all their electrolytes into the commode. This is unwise and although given the name "keto flu" it could be really serious for a small number of people.

Even though keto has been around for quite some time we are really only still in the beginning phases of what is known because it is now so popular. I doubt for most people it will be a problem even if they do it for the rest of their lives but all of this is idle speculation on a message board.

OP, the fact is, low carb and keto diets can be very healthy if you implement them correctly. If you are focusing on whole foods (not processed meats and pork rinds) and including adequate fiber, then you should be in a good position.

Ultimately, it comes down to compliance. If it helps you lose weight in a sustainable fashion, than its a good diet to choose.

chixy18 wrote: »

Everything i am researching shows that keto is a great way to loose weight.... but its bad for long term, its ment for 30-90 days to kickstart you. But then your very likely to gain it back do to its restrictivness. Also puts you at a high risk of diabetes and heart disease. Wouldnt it be smarter to just do low carb and work out n watch what you eat instead of cutting all carbs n putting so much fat into your body? Keto also breaks down muscle mass....give me your thoughts!?

I think you are making a lot of definitive statements about the Keto diet in a bunch of different directions, none of which are really supported by the science. Keto is a "way" to lose weight. But there is nothing that documents it as a better way than anything else. Keto/low carb diets in general tend to have around the same success rate as other methods of losing weight. Ultimately what the success of a diet will come down to is whether or not it allows you to maintain a calorie deficit. If Keto makes that easier for some people, then it is a good choice for them. But if it makes it harder, then it is not.

As far as the other stuff, there's really no documented evidence that Keto puts you at high risk of diabetes and heart disease, or breaks down muscle mass. There are certainly some concerns about aspects of the Keto diet from a health aspect, such as the high intake of saturated fats, and low intake of fiber, whole grains, and vitamins/antioxidants from fruits and vegetables. So there is some concern based on those items about the health impact. But they haven't been properly documented in studies yet. That's in large part because Keto for weight loss is a relatively new phenomenon. It's only really been around in force for the last several years. Hard to say how someone living on it for 20 years would be affected by it in the long term. But I don't think we should be making sweeping statements about the diet without the evidence to back it up.

My issue with the Keto diet has never been the diet itself, but rather all the buzz around it that includes all sorts of claims about the diet that are not fact based. It does not have any magical weight loss powers. It works by creating a calorie deficit like anything else. There is nothing special about ketotones, etc. So when people get into all the woo about it, that's when I have a problem with it. But just people doing the diet as a preferred way of eating to create a calorie deficit? I think while it's not for me, it's just as valid a choice as any other WOE if it fits well for the person choosing it.

DEBOO7 wrote: »

Keto for 5 years plus and healthy as f***.
Loosing weight is about 'calorie deficit' - you could eat rubbish all day as long as you maintained a calorie deficit - but you'd you be healthy?
The benefit of a ketogenic diet is the body switches from relying on glycogen for fuel to relying on ketones.

Why is this beneficial?

An added benefit of a ketogenic diet is that fats keep you full so it deals with the 'hunger' pangs.

That's not true for everyone. I've heard the same statement about protein. I personally live on carbs and have no issues with 'hunger pangs'.

I've lurked on this thread all day and been so hesitant to comment... But here goes. Sorry this ended up much longer than I expected!!!

I agree with most other commenters, keto's not magical when it comes to weight loss. I've lost/maintained on several different eating styles from very balanced to vegetarian, and now keto.

(Word used like: lion's diet is carnivorous, not weight loss word like: cabbage soup diet) Any "diet" can be "healthy" or "unhealthy." Mainly dependent on amount of calories (too many or too low).

I consider my version of keto "healthy" consuming all my carbs from veggies, greens, and fruits and my fat from olive oil, avocados, and olives. Around 1400-1600 calories a day for a loss, and I keep track of my nutrients.

With a history of heart failure, I researched into the effects of "clean" keto on the heart. Which like any other calorie deficit weight loss led to lowered blood pressure, lowered LDLs, raised HDLs and lowered triglycerides. So, I went forward with it.

It's not magical, but it is recommended by doctors for some health issues. The common medical conditions are PCOS, Type 2 diabetes, seizures and migraines, and several conditions that cause IBS (Crohn's and other ulcer conditions). Which is the reason I started it (lymphatic cystic disease that causes IBS with severe bloat and pain). At least 80% of my friends list are on keto from their doctor's recommendation, (and eat "clean keto" very balanced diet).

I think it gets a bad rap and there's way too much misinformation out there.

(Like live on bacon and butter and get healthy)?!? WTH?!?
No point in getting skinny just to develop scurvy!

I have yet to spend any money on any product... No expensive MCT oils, keto water, bullet proof butter coffee, Keto fat burning supplements, no books on how to eat keto, keto labeled foods (no thanks to all)!!

This is a true story: I post on some thread (op asking about Keto) a while ago that I eat keto, it's not for everyone, and I basically just cut out breads and potatoes, upped my use of olive oil, but I still eat veggies and fruits and got a **** load of woos.

Another commenter came on, quite a few comments later insulting keto, and said they eat a balanced diet, just cutting breads and potatoes, eat veggies, fruits, and meats, and use olive oil. Got ****loads of likes, insightfuls, and inspirings.

I realized then that keto has a horrible rap, and negative assumptions surrounding just the word "keto"

I got mad and ranted a little. But after reading so much misinformation and talking to so many keto newcomers (and the ideas some of these newcomers have about Keto), I can now kind of understand why this is.

I know, when done the right way, "clean keto" can be healthy. When done the wrong way...Well, I think in a few years there will be an increase of clogged arteries and strokes (even in younger adults) from all the people jumping on board eating "dirty keto."

SORRY SO LONG!!! I LOVE TALKING FOOD and HEALTH!

chixy18 wrote: »

I think alot of what everyone is saying is positive n negative you can get no matter what diet you choose. It all comes down what works for you, but i do think your suppose to eat all the food groups everyday and thats the healthiest. Just need to learn portions. People who are using keto are obviously going to show all the pros. My doctor is not a fan. But like everyone has said it all depends what works for you i was just curious what others thought about things i read.. n wondered if people are just so excited they loose weight this way the risks dont matter.

Also keep in mind, that you can cycle through diet styles to align to time of year. I do keto currently to help cut sole vanity weight. Once i hit my goal, i will increase my carbs, especially those from fruits, grains and oats.

So many believe that the only way to be successful is to "make it a lifestyle". I found that to be baseless and not backed by data. The bigger things that i see as the issue are having a transition and maintenance plan, as well as, making adjustments to your food based on hunger. So many people have no clue how to transition to maintenance or fear adding calories. By adding in things, like periodic maintenance weeks, you increase that probability of being successful. Or if you don't start with a lot of weight, you can taper calories up.

caligkela wrote: »

I just finished a biochemistry class for my degree and the professor told us about a conference he had been to on biochem in nutrition. 10/10 biochemists do NOT recommend Keto or long term intermittent fasting. Both have detrimental affects on muscle wastage tolerance and risk of ketoacidosis.

There isn't evidence to support either of those statements.