5 Surprising Benefits of Being in Ketosis

Simply defined, Ketosis is a metabolic state where the body produces chemicals that process fat for energy instead of sugar. A common way to get into ketosis is through a ketogenic diet which is a low-carb, high-fat, and moderate-protein diet. Being in a state of ketosis can lead to known benefits, and we will discuss five surprising benefits below. 

1. Ketosis and Diabetes 

Research points to promising results for individuals with type 2 diabetes on ketogenic diets. The possibility of lowering glucose levels while being in ketosis is achievable, since limiting carbs is one of the elements necessary to get into ketosis, and thus, naturally decreasing blood glucose levels. Another wonderful byproduct of being in such a state is that eating less carbs may also assist in shedding pounds. The research shows that individuals with type 2 diabetes shed pounds, require less prescriptions, and brought down their A1c when following a keto diet. 

Those with type 2 diabetes produce insulin, which assists with protecting ketones in the blood stream, making is safe to benefit from the state of ketosis. Findings suggest that those with type 1 diabetes can achieve similar benefits. Yet, others with type 1 diabetes might have issues metabolizing ketones due to their inability to produce sufficient insulin. This has the potential of causing an overproduction of ketones and can lead to a serious condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). As always, its best practice to seek medical advice before trying a keto diet.

2. Ketosis and Inflammation

Inflammation is the body's reaction to help repair and battle disease. However, an extreme amount of inflammation can cause undesirable side effects, like soreness, joint rigidity, exhaustion, and other intense physiological outcomes.

Being on a keto diet and routinely in a condition of ketosis, your body produces ketones, explicitly BHB (ß -hydroxybutyrate), which is an anti-inflammatory chemical. Producing elevated levels of BHB assists with a variety of inflammatory diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome and cardiovascular disease. 

The keto diet itself focuses on food varieties that promote ketosis, for example, eggs, olives, and avocados, while avoiding inflammatory food varieties, like processed foods and refined sugars. Below are food varieties that support ketosis and others that do not.

Ketosis Foods

• Nuts and Seeds
• Berries
• Eggs
• Olive and Olive Oil
• Meat, Poultry, Fatty Fish
• High Fat Vegetables, Green Leafy Vegetables

Inflammatory Foods

• Processed Foods and Oils
• Refined Sugars and Sodas
• Grains
• Fruits and Starchy Vegetables
• Omega-6

3. Ketosis and Epilepsy

The ketogenic diet was originally coined by Dr. Russell Wilder in the 1920s when he worked at the Mayo Clinic.  He introduced a ketone-producing diet to treat pediatric patients with epilepsy in which they gathered favorable results. This diet went on to become used throughout the 1920s and 1930s to help with pediatric epilepsy. From the 1940s - 1980s detail about the diet could be found in many textbooks. In the 1970s, a study at Johns Hopkins Hospital showed results of more than 1,000 pediatric patients with epilepsy in which 52% were reported to have control over their seizures and 27% had improvement in control. More recently, the ketogenic diet has been researched for its ability to assist in a variety of neurological problems.

4. Ketosis and the Brain 

Research is showing that ketones stop the mitochondrial production of reactive oxygen species safeguarding the brain from strokes and neurodegenerative illness, like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Even further, the keto diet has assisted in the control of glutamate (the most important transmitter for normal brain function) which when regulated helps prevent brain damage. Considering the promising effects that ketosis has on the brain, more research is necessary to get a comprehensive outlook on the advantages in clinical usage. 

5. Ketosis and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Current research has focused on the impacts of the ketogenic diet and balancing hormones, particularly as it relates to PCOS. PCOS is a health condition defined by an overproduction of male sex hormones known as androgens. Woman suffering from PCOS have such symptoms as fatigue, irregular periods, infertility, thinning of hair, and depression. One of the proposed causes of this condition is insulin resistance, which increases the production of insulin. The research being done shows that a keto diet can decrease insulin levels and body weight helping to alleviate PCOS symptoms or completely recover from symptoms.

The Last Word 

The ketogenic diet is a common way to be in a state of ketosis, and there are huge medical advantages from metabolic to anti-inflammatory to brain health. Hopefully, you have gained value here by learning about the benefits of ketosis. 

If you are considering getting started on a keto diet, click here to get a customized meal plan.