Learn about the ketogenic diet, and how effective it is for weight loss

The results of the “The Food Analysts” service, which specializes in providing nutritional advice, concluded that the common belief among most people about the role of reducing carbohydrate intake in significant and immediate weight loss is not a good health option, as eliminating entire food groups from the diet does not provide An ideal solution for losing weight and enjoying a healthy lifestyle in the long term.

The Food Analysts service was launched in July 2017, and it is the first service of its kind in the UAE to calculate calories by specialized experts. It acts as a “personal food monitor via WhatsApp”, as it only requires sending a picture The meal, in addition to a brief description of it, to obtain in return a detailed report on its nutritional content.

In this regard, Mr. Veer Ramlogon, founder of Food Analysts, says that while carbohydrates increase the proportion of insulin that works to dissipate fat, it is not correct to ignore the biological complexity of the body and not evaluate the situation from a broader perspective, explaining: “We have always heard a lot of talk For most people, cutting carbs seems like a simple and logical way to lose weight. While processed carbohydrates that are rich in sugars do increase body fat percentage, carbohydrates that come from whole and partially processed foods are very beneficial for the body, so the body needs the three major food groups to be able to function optimally.”

The ketogenic diet, which has become very popular over the past few years, relies on reducing carbohydrates to a large extent and increasing the proportion of fat in the diet, which puts the body in a metabolic state called “hyper ketosis.” About this diet, Ramlogon comments: “Although the diet Ketogenicity leads to weight loss in a short period of time, and is not recommended for those seeking sustainable or long-term fat loss.”

The team of experts from The Food Analysts reveals 10 key points to consider when deciding whether to follow a ketogenic diet:

1. This diet can slow down the metabolism in the long term because it reduces the production of thyroid hormone responsible for the optimal performance of the metabolism process.
2. It increases the production of the stress hormone 'cortisol', which means an increase in one's stress level.
3. It weakens the immune function because foods rich in carbohydrates contribute greatly to building immunity as part of the nutrients in the diet.
4. Reduce the secretion of the muscle-building hormone 'testosterone' responsible for creating a catabolic environment in the body, especially in people who exercise regularly. It has been shown that carbohydrates make the diet anabolic, that is, it promotes muscle building and fat burning.
5. Lack of fiber in the diet impairs bowel function.
6. The body may be dehydrated because the lack of carbohydrates reduces the amount of water stored.
7. It causes depletion of magnesium levels, which leads to a possible imbalance in the hormones and an increase in cortisol levels (the well-known stress hormone), thus creating a catabolic environment in the body.
8. Most important of all of the above is that the sources of fat consumed contain a high percentage of saturated and unsaturated fats, which increases the risk of heart disease in the long run.
9. The ketogenic diet causes more harm to women than to men, because the imbalance that occurs in the hormonal system may lead to disturbances in the menstrual cycle.
10. Finally, eliminating carbohydrates from the diet eliminates many essential nutrients as well. For this reason, one needs to include many powerful nutritional supplements in his daily diet, which requires ketogenic dieters to reconsider their system!

“It is important to make a thoughtful decision before changing eating patterns or eliminating any major nutrients from the diet, as everything has its own side effects, so maintaining a balance is always the best option,” Ramlogon concludes.