The ketogenic diet is characterized as a low-carb diet. The ketogenic diet is quite popular because it provides relatively fast weight loss results. Apart from that, it turns out that the ketogenic diet also has potential benefits for several diseases such as epilepsy, metabolic syndrome, glycogen storage disease, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and diabetes, as discussed in the Part I article in Fitie. However, it turns out that many more health conditions benefit from the ketogenic diet!
Certain Types of Cancer
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world. Recently, researchers have believed that the ketogenic diet may help patients with certain types of cancer when combined with conventional treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.
Many researchers underline that increased blood sugar, obesity, and type 2 diabetes are closely related to breast cancer and several other types of cancer. Limiting carbohydrate intake by lowering blood sugar levels and insulin levels is believed to help prevent tumor growth.
In addition, cancer patients who follow the ketogenic diet also show preservation of mass muscle and slowed tumor growth when combined with radiation and other anti-cancer therapies.
Although it will not have a significant effect on advanced cancer patients, the ketogenic diet has the potential to improve the patient's quality of life. The ketogenic diet is safe for cancer patients but is of limited use and must be accompanied by other anti-cancer treatments.
Autism
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by impaired communication skills, social interactions, and repetitive behaviors. People with ASD are usually diagnosed as children.
Autism shares some similarities with epilepsy, and many people with autism experience seizures due to the overactivity of brain cells. Early-stage research shows that people with autism experience improved behavior when a ketogenic diet is combined with other therapies.
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition characterized by damage to the protective covering of the nerves, which results in communication problems between the brain and the body. Symptoms include numbness and problems with balance, movement, vision, and memory.
Just like other neurological disorders, MS also reduces the ability of the body's cells to use glucose as an energy source. According to research, the ketogenic diet has the potential to help the process of energy production and cell repair in people with MS. In addition, the application of the ketogenic diet in people with MS has also shown improvements in cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Not a few people with multiple sclerosis need mobility aids, such as wheelchairs.
Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease is a nervous system disease that interferes with the body's ability to control movement and balance. Effects on the protection of the brain and nervous system, currently the ketogenic diet is being studied for its potential as a complementary therapy for people with Parkinson's disease.
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease is a more advanced form of dementia characterized by plaques in the brain that interfere with memory. Interestingly, Alzheimer's disease shares similarities with epilepsy and type 2 diabetes, namely seizures or the inability of the brain to use glucose and inflammation resulting from insulin resistance.
Adding ketone esters and medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) oils to increase ketone levels has been shown to improve some symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
Headaches can be a side effect of the ketogenic diet.
Despite its potential benefits for many health problems, the ketogenic diet also has the side effect of significantly limiting carbohydrate consumption which should be considered. Among them are hunger, nausea, constipation, headaches, fatigue, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Before implementing a ketogenic diet, it's a good idea to consult your doctor first. You can also consult a doctor at Fitie!
Source:
Spritzler, F. (2020). 15 Health Conditions That May Benefit From a Ketogenic Diet. [online]. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/15-conditions-benefit-ketogenic-diet