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Albeit the health benefits, Keto diet has its own disadvantages if not followed properly under medical supervision.
The sudden death of Bengali actress Mishti Mukherjee has opened the debate on Keto and other diets.
According to the actress' doctors, she had developed kidney failure and ultimately died of it. This was caused due to the Keto diet followed by her.
The diet has recently gained fame for its effectiveness in reducing the weight quickly and has been endorsed by many of the nutritionists across the world.
What is the Keto diet?
The Ketogenic diet requires a person to reduce the carbohydrate intake to 5 percent and consuming the rest of the calories from proteins and fats.
Basically, a Keto diet comprises 75:20:5 ratio in terms of fats, proteins and carbohydrates.
This allows the body to produce energy through breaking down the fats directly by forming ketones.
This process makes the body to lose weight efficiently by burning the fat.
The diet has been in use since 1900 to treat medical conditions like seizures and PCOD.
The debate around the keto diet is started in 2014 between the professors of South Africa and Cape Town.
While the keto diet has its own health benefits, it has to be followed correctly.
The most common misconception people have is that keto diet is a high fat and high protein diet.
Excess of proteins in the body can inhibit the body from entering ketosis and can also raise the acidity in the body and thereby increasing the pressure on the kidneys.
This can lead to kidney stones and in worst cases, kidney failure too.
Studies have been going on to know the effect of keto diet on kidneys
Another risk of keto diet is that it raises harmful cholesterol level in the body especially when the food you consume is full of trans fats.
Since the keto diet restricts high nutrient foods, whole grains and legumes, the diet can be unable to provide necessary vitamins and minerals to the body.
Studies suggest that Keto diet does not provide the body with Vitamin D, magnesium and phosphorus.
Should you do Keto?
The only way to find out an answer for this is to consult your doctor.
The keto diet takes a radical shift in your nutrient dose, so you must consult a professional before starting the diet.
Certain preconditions can be aggravated through this diet.
It is also necessary for you to conduct regular blood test to check the nutrient levels in your body.
Any diet in the world cannot be completely beneficial unless you follow it correctly.
By Gayatri Yellayi