Are you curious about the keto diet? Short for “ketogenic,” the keto diet has gained immense popularity over the last few years for its potential to help with weight loss and even improve certain health conditions.
But if you’re unsure what it is or how to follow it, you’re not alone. Daniel Moghadam, MD, and our team at Modern Aesthetica offer keto diet planning in Santa Monica, California, and this beginner’s guide is a great place to start.
Here’s a quick, comprehensive overview of the keto diet and its benefits.
The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, moderate-protein, and very low-carbohydrate eating plan. The goal of the diet is to put your body into ketosis, a natural metabolic state where you begin to burn fat for fuel instead of glucose.
This shift in metabolism happens when your body is deprived of carbohydrates, which primarily drives the benefits associated with the keto diet. Here’s how it works:
The recommended daily intake of carbohydrates is about 225-325 grams a day on average. However, on the keto diet, you drastically reduce your carbohydrate intake, typically to less than 50 grams per day. Limiting carbohydrates exhausts your body’s glycogen stores, which are its primary source of glucose.
Carbohydrates are a large energy source, so you need to compensate for the reduced carbohydrates when you’re on the keto diet. That’s why the diet calls for increased fat intake, and fat becomes your main source of energy.
It’s important to still eat protein but keep it at a moderate level to promote muscle maintenance without interfering with ketosis.
Low carbohydrate consumption limits the glucose available to your body. With limited glucose available, your liver converts fats into ketones, which your body and brain use for energy.
The keto diet can promote significant weight loss, especially from troublesome fat stores, by shifting your body’s primary energy source from carbohydrates to fats. And while weight loss is one of the biggest reasons why the keto diet is so popular, its benefits go beyond simply shedding pounds.
Reducing your carbohydrate intake can help stabilize your blood sugar levels, which can be beneficial for individuals with Type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance. Plus, the keto diet has anti-inflammatory effects, which can help alleviate symptoms of chronic conditions like arthritis.
Lastly, ketones are a more efficient fuel source than glucose. That means following the keto diet can increase energy and stabilize energy levels throughout the day.
There’s no denying that the keto diet can have some serious health benefits — but embarking on a diet can be challenging without the right guidance and support. That’s where our keto diet planning service comes in.
At Modern Aesthetica, we offer a comprehensive approach to help you successfully transition to and maintain a ketogenic lifestyle. Our team of experts creates a customized keto diet plan tailored to your individual needs, preferences, and health goals.
Whether you aim for weight loss, improved athletic performance, or better blood sugar control, we design a plan that fits your lifestyle. Before you start your diet, we conduct thorough health assessments to ensure it’s a good fit.
You also have the education and support you need to stick to your plan. We help you understand the nuances of macronutrient ratios, portion sizes, and food choices, and we monitor your progress and adjust your plan based on your body’s response.
The ketogenic diet can be a powerful tool for improving your health and achieving your weight loss goals, and you don’t have to figure it out alone. Get personalized, expert guidance from our team at Modern Aesthetica. Call our office at 424-391-3884 or request an appointment online to get started.
