Keto Diet or Ketogenic Diet is one of the highly popular dieting plans nowadays that are used to lose weight at a faster speed. According to keto lovers and admirers, this diet plan is a miracle worker and promises quick weight. Keto Diet or Ketogenic diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet plan which main purpose is to put the body in the metabolic state of Ketosis, a metabolic state in which the body uses fat as a fuel for producing energy instead of carbohydrates. While on Keto Diet, you can only eat low-carb and high-fat foods. This whole dieting plan is all about cutting way back on carbohydrates to 25-50 grams a day or even less so your body can achieve a state of ketosis. 

Although Keto Dieters and Experts have described many health benefits of the Keto Diet in addition to weight loss, several nutritionists consider it as an unsustainable diet. Due to this theory, Keto Diet is getting more and more controversial over time. Some health experts even warn against it entirely, citing unpleasant and adverse side effects, health risks, and different ailments to give support to this theory.

Why the Keto Diet is not Sustainable

Following are some important reasons in the form of side effects of the Keto Diet which are the best answer to the question “why Keto Diet is not sustainable?”. We advise you to read this article before trying the keto diet because it is not all about dropping some pounds of weight, it is also about your health. 

• The “Keto Flu”

Some Keto Dieters report that they feel just sick even after only a few days of starting the Keto Diet. It is due to a group of symptoms that appears within a week or two after starting the Keto Diet. This group of symptoms is called Keto flu. According to medical specialists, it is highly difficult to sustain the Keto Diet due to the Keto flu. The common symptoms of Keto flu include:

• Vomiting
• Gastrointestinal Distress
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Lethargy
• Nausea

According to a research study, 25% of the people who try a keto diet experience the symptoms of Keto Flu. The basic reason for the Keto flu to happen is a sudden shortage of sugar in your body which it usually uses to produce energy. The transition of body fuel from carbohydrates to fat is enough to make your body feel tired after a few days of the keto diet. The best way to minimize the Keto flu is by drinking plenty of water and getting plenty of sleep. 

• Ketoacidosis

Ketoacidosis is described as the condition in which the body stores too many ketones and acids are produced as a byproduct of burning fat. In this condition, the blood becomes highly acidic that can lead to liver, kidney, or brain damage. This situation can be fatal if not treated in the early stages. 

Keto Diet has a very significant role in developing Ketoacidosis conditions in people with diabetes. Medical experts believe that a ketogenic diet, in case of long-term use, can trigger ketoacidosis in people suffering from diabetes. So, diabetic patients should always consult with their doctors before starting Keto Diet.

• Weight regain

You will be surprised to know that in the case of long-term use of the Keto Diet, most people can regain a lot of the weight they lost as soon as they go back on carbs. This effect of the Keto Diet is highly supportive of its non-sustainable nature. Due to the restrictive nature of the Keto Diet, experts say it is not an appropriate plan to follow long-term. 

• Decreased Metabolism with less muscle mass

Another adverse effect of the Keto Diet is that it can cause a loss of muscle mass especially if you have been eating more fat and less protein. There is no doubt that you will lose weight, but it might actually be a lot of muscle. Keto Diet has also a very strong negative impact on the speed of metabolism. According to research studies, the ketogenic diet can decrease the speed of metabolism by 25%. That, undoubtedly makes the Keto Diet unsustainable. 

• Increase risk of diabetes and heart diseases

When you follow the Keto Diet plan, you actually eat a lot of vegetables with animal protein from lean sources. It means you are not eating bacon and butter. The high-fat foods in the Keto Diet may raise your cholesterol levels and according to some research studies, they can increase the risk of diabetes. A low-carb diet like the Keto Diet may also involve increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Recently, the European Society of Cardiology Congress has conducted a research study on 25000 persons following the Keto Diet. The results of this study suggested that people on the lowest-carb diets may have the highest risk of dying from cardiovascular conditions and cancer. Many other studies support that the keto diet is involved in increasing the risk of both diabetes and heart diseases. 

• Diarrhea

If you feeling the need to go to the bathroom multiple times a day while on a ketogenic diet, you are not alone as it is involved in the side effects of the Keto Diet. Some people also called it Keto Diarrhea. This may be due to the gallbladder (an organ that produces bile that helps in the metabolism of fat in the human body) feeling “overwhelmed”. There are many other reasons for diarrhea while on Keto Diet. Researches suggest that the Keto Diet is low in fiber due to which it can produce Diarrhea. Sometimes people eat dairy or artificial sweeteners while on Keto Diet which can cause intolerance in the body. This intolerance shows in the form of Diarrhea. 

Keto Diet or ketogenic diet is also associated with reduced athletic performance due to fatigue in the body. So, it is highly important for you not to start Keto Diet without consulting with your doctor.

So now you know why the keto diet is not sustainable!

Thank You very much for your precious time!