Ketogenic diets make old medicine new again

 

The ketogenic diet is earning some well-deserved attention and respect these days. And better late than never, as they say.

Because the concept is really nothing new. The proclamation to “let food be thy medicine” has been around since Hippocrates’ time. But I must say that I am thrilled that the practice of clinical nutrition may finally have its day in the sun.

For the rest of the world, that is. Because I’ve always known its power. I have devoted my whole career to healing patients this way.

Dr. Atkins himself honored me with the role of associate medical director of his clinic more than 25 years ago. And thanks to everything I learned from working with him, I have been using and advocating for ketogenic diets in one form or another ever since.

To be fair, Dr. Atkins did not invent the ketogenic diet — it had been around since the 1870’s at least. But he did popularize it, that’s for sure. And in doing so, he gave his earliest acolytes, myself among them, the opportunity to see first-hand how useful they are in combatting and controlling disease.

It’s about time — past time, really — that others are finally seeing it too.

In case you need a refresher, a classic ketogenic diet is made up of at least 80 percent fat — with the remainder split between protein and non-starchy vegetables. The idea is to mimic a fasting state, while still supplying the building blocks for growth.

Limiting carbs means your body relies on fat for fuel. With lower available sugar, your body starts generating ketones for energy. (A metabolic state called ketosis.)

Ketosis has a long list of protective effects — dating back to its use as an epilepsy treatment as early as the 1920s. Its popularity declined when medications came on the scene— unfortunately, given the fact that ketogenic diets can safely reduce seizures by as much as 85 percent.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Modern interest in ketogenic diets has primarily revolved around weight loss. Not least of all because it’s vastly superior to low-fat diets at both shrinking waistlines and curbing hunger.

And at lowering blood sugar, too, obviously. Study after study shows that ketogenic diets can cut the need for diabetes drugs and increase glycemic control — effectively reversing type 2 diabetes. (The ketogenic diet isn’t the only way to bolster your metabolic health. I encourage you to check out my Metabolic Repair Protocol — an online learning tool that offers even more effective strategies to prevent — and reverse — metabolic syndrome, prediabetes, and type-II diabetes!)

Then, of course, there’s its promising role in the fight against cancer. As I’ve mentioned before, sugar is cancer’s favorite food and main energy source. So a ketogenic diet effectively cuts off a tumor’s food supply and stunts its growth — not exactly a small feat.

I’ve also shared newer research showing that ketogenic diets may be neuroprotective in conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s. Studies suggest it could even be helpful in kids with ADHD.

Even endurance athletes are starting to come around to the benefits of ketosis — in lowering body mass and body fat, and in improving energy efficiency. And it’s certainly a huge improvement over the dark days of carbo-loading before big events.

All I can say is that I have helped thousands of patients — without any adverse effects — using this approach. I’ve been following it for decades myself. And if you haven’t yet, you should take the plunge, too.

You might have heard that it’s grueling or impossible. That simply isn’t true — and the success of my A-List Diet book is a testament to that. You won’t find a simpler or more delicious way to fight disease.

But don’t take my word for it. Pick up your copy — and experience the transformation for yourself — today.

Source:

medscape.com/viewarticle/894041