How to Do a Keto Diet: The Complete Guide

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The ketogenic diet is an increasingly popular way of eating that focuses on a high-fat, low-carbohydrate approach. Its popularity has grown in recent years due to its potential health benefits and weight-loss potential. One of the main goals of this diet is to cause the body to enter a state known as ketosis, where it breaks down fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates. Here is how the keto diet breaks down fat.

Lowering Carb Consumption: The first step in entering a state of ketosis is to reduce carbohydrate consumption to a very low level. When carbohydrate intake is reduced, the body switches from using glucose (a form of sugar) as its primary source of energy to breaking down stored fat for energy instead.
Increase Fat Intake: To support the body’s need for energy when it switches from burning glucose to burning fat, dietary fat intake must be significantly increased while on the keto diet. Fats provide an important source of energy and should make up approximately 70-75% of daily caloric intake on this diet.
Ketones: Once carbohydrate intake is significantly restricted and dietary fats are increased, the body will begin breaking down fats into molecules called ketones for use as fuel instead of glucose or carbohydrates. These ketones can then be used by many cells in the body for energy, such as brain cells and muscle cells.
Weight Loss: As fatty acids are broken down into ketones, they are released from fat stores in the body and used as fuel instead of carbohydrates or glucose. This process helps promote weight loss and improve overall health markers such as “good” cholesterol levels and blood sugar control.

In conclusion, the ketogenic diet is an effective way for those looking to lose weight or improve their health markers by reducing carbohydrate intake and increasing dietary fat intake so that their bodies can enter a state known as ketosis where it breaks down stored fat for fuel instead of glucose or carbohydrates.