The influence of the Ketogenic diet, better known as keto, has rapidly grown in recent years. It focuses on consuming foods that are high in fat and low in carbohydrates to enter your body in a state of ketosis, where it uses fats for energy. While the diet was originally prescribed to children with epilepsy up to a century ago, many other individuals looking to lose weight or reach personal health goals1.
What is Ketosis?
Ketosis describes a switch in your metabolism. Because your body typically gets energy from carbohydrates, a dramatic decrease in this form of fuel forces your body to burn fat for energy. Specifically, the liver gains energy by breaking down ketone bodies, an element derived from fat. To reach this state, fats must comprise 75% of one’s daily caloric intake2.
The Standard Keto Diet
As stated, this diet operates on the basis of decreasing carbohydrate intake and increasing fat consumption. The generic rule is that fat should comprise 70% of the daily calorie intake, protein 20-25%, and carbohydrates 5-10% which allows for around 25-50 grams of protein a day.
To Eat or Not to Eat, That is the Question
When working to achieve ketosis, one should eat fatty meats and healthy fats and oils, including avocados, olive oil, nuts and seeds, and fish like salmon. Eggs, leafy greens, and cheese are other foods to eat. While on the keto diet, it is important to avoid grains, like rice, pasta, and bread. Additionally, one should not eat beans, starches, processed foods, and the majority of fruits3.
People following the keto diet commonly eat foods like eggs, fish, dairy, meat, nuts, and unsweetened chocolate2.
Why Keto?
Along with weight loss, the keto diet may have many other impacts on one’s health. It may increase endurance levels after the body acclimates to using fat for energy. Additionally, the keto diet may benefit people with indigestion and gut discomfort and promote the health of the heart and brain3.
Kick Start Keto
Perfect Keto is a brand developed by Dr. Anthony Gustin that produces products designed for people looking to start or already following the keto diet. The various products stimulate ketone production in the body, abide by the low carbohydrate guidelines, and are free of added sugars, artificial flavoring, chemicals, grains, and soy and corn.
EarthTurns carries a variety of Perfect Keto products to help you reach your keto goals. The Perfect Keto Exogenous Ketones Base helps the individual maintain energy levels by providing a boost of ketones and promoting hydration with electrolytes. This powder, available in peach, chocolate, strawberry lemonade, salted caramel, and vanilla flavors, can be added to drinks or recipes to boost your ketone and electrolyte levels.
Perfect Keto’s MCT (medium-chain triglyceride) Oil Powder presents an easy method of fatty acid consumption. The MCT breaks down into ketones, actively increasing the energy available for the body’s use. It comes in various flavors, including chocolate, vanilla, and salted caramel, that can be mixed into various beverages, including coffee, and recipes for easy consumption.
References
- Abrams, R., & Abrams, V. (2019). Keto Diet for Dummies. John Wiley & Sons Inc.
- Helms, N. (2019, June 20). Ketogenic diet: What are the risks? UChicago Medicine. https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/health-and-wellness-articles/ketogenic-diet-what-are-the-risks.
- Irvin, C. (2021, February 12). The Ketogenic Diet: The Ultimate Guide to a Low-Carb Keto Diet. Perfect Keto. https://perfectketo.com/ultimate-start-guide-ketogenic-diet/.
* The Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated any statements on this website. Dietary supplement products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.