Diet.
I must see (on the days that I watch TV) about 100 commercials a day discussing our diets, our weight. From Weight Watchers to Nutrisystem to Noom and beyond.
Of course, that’s not at all surprising when 70% of us (yes, me included) are obese or overweight. Worse yet, 1 in 10 of us are severely obese- and more than 1 in 10 of us suffer from diabetes.
It’s that latter problem that is behind the discussion we’ll be starting today. Because diabetes is also linked to kidney disease- and often to blood pressure control.
One of the more interesting ways to deal with our obesity, diabetes, and impending kidney failure is to adopt a diet that Dr. Robert Adkins, the cardiologist, popularized (the diet bears his name) in the 1970s. The Adkins diet relied on cream, butter, and steaks. Most other physicians thought he was a crackpot. Except the diet generally works- without screwing up folks’ cholesterol levels.
I’ve been advocating the ketogenic diet (the more generic name for the same diet) for several decades. The data indicates that not only does this diet reduce the number of seizures in epileptic patients, it staves off the progression from diabetes to kidney failure. It’s not just me that crows about this diet, one of my fellow bloggers, Chef William Chaney, has also been advocating (and offering recipes for) the ketogenic diet.
Basically, the ketogenic diet mimics starvation in our body. Instead of relying on carbohydrates (there are none in the ketogenic diet, their having been replaced by high fat content [some 87% of the total caloric content], supplemented by the requisite proteins), the body burns its fat stores. But, instead of the more normal process by which the body converts our stored fats to glucose, on this diet they are only partially decomposed to fatty acids and ketone bodies. (It’s those ketone bodies that the brain uses to preclude the epileptic seizures.)
Moreover, when we choose the ketogenic diet, we feel ‘fuller’. Shifting the caloric load from carbohydrates to fats/proteins does that. Folks consume fewer calories on the ketogenic diet- not to starve themselves, but because they are less hungry.
You see, the insulin in our body (assuming we don’t have diabetes) regulates fat storage and metabolism. It’s normally produced and secreted when the body senses we’ve ingested carbohydrates (sugars, starches, grains, fruits, and legumes)- which signals the synthesis of fat (storing the carbohydrates as fat renders them available later, when we aren’t loading up on carbs). When the insulin level drops, the body frees those fats (as fatty acids and ketones) to join the blood circulation. If there’s no insulin, then we use all our fats for fuel in the body.
We’ll continue this discussion on Monday.
I am also Obese and my Blood Pressure has been high. I am trying to lose weight and wanted to try the Keto Diet but it was confusing. Instead I am trying to watch what I eat and walk every day which I am failing because of Knee problems but I refuse to give up. I can and will walk and lose this weight.
That’s great, Glenda!
WOW this is so helpful the way you described the process. My grandson has epilepsy and I’ve never heard that the keto diet helps with this. Looking forward to Monday’s edition! I love Chef William’s recipes and while I don’t follow keto to a T, I’m trying to do better on lowering my carbs. On a good note, I don’t suffer any of the diseases listed and I’m not overweight. YAY me for almost 72.
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I’m glad you don’t also, Martha!
Thanks for the visit and the comment.
There’s a saying that “you are what you eat.” Nice informations.
I hope I don’t turn into a ketone body, Jojo!
I’ll be back Monday to learn more. I’ve known about the ketogenic diet and know people who have been on it. In my readings, Keto seems to be strict and many tire of it and put the weight back on when they abandon it. As a side note: I tried the Stillman diet back in the early 70’s, which was one of the first low/no carb diets (and, as I understand it, differs from Keto in Stillman not permitting fats). I can testify that Stillman provided rapid weight loss – and just as rapid weight gain when I quit complying with it. Anyway, I’ve been successful for years with Weight Watchers but am interested in your interest in this diet.
Yes, the Weight Watchers philosophy is different- and outstanding for those who adhere to the rules for weight loss. But, the ketogenic diet also addresses specific maladies
Love how you explained the ketogenic diet.. while we have not shifted to it fully, we have certainly changed the proportion of carbs and sugars to the other groups of late..
the starvation state makes so much sense
Thanks for adding to the conversation, Vidya!
I have been doing WW and have lost some weight, but could certainly stand to lose more. I tried paleo and lost a ton of weight at the time, but unfortunately got miserably sick, and I think I actually hurt my kidneys. I have heard that that is a risk with the keto diet. I hope you will address and other digestion problems in your next post. I could not handle the extra fat in what I was eating.
You might have to check if some of the foods you ingest in your diet are tougher for you to digest- and, therefore, avoid them in your diet, Jeanine.
Remarkable issues here. I’m very happy to peer your article.
Thank you a lot and I am taking a look forward to contact you.
Will you please drop me a mail?
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You can contact me directly from the blog. Thanks for your great comments.
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Thanks for the encouragement.