The basis of a ketogenic diet is the elimination of carbohydrates from the daily menu and replacing them with fat. The ketogenic diet is used for the treatment of epilepsy and is recommended especially for patients whose pharmacology does not have the expected effect.
The main source of energy is carbohydrates, which is why we consume them the most (about 50%). Next to them is fat - 35%, in the daily diet - protein (about 15%). When the body gets too few carbohydrates, it needs energy from fat, which forms the basis of a ketogenic diet. Fat can be 80 to 90 percent.
While using it quickly produces results and people who use it after a few days will notice a difference, this change does not last long. They are often malnourished and deficient in essential nutrients.
Contrary to appearances, a ketogenic diet is not the next "miracle" diet. This special menu has been created for a specific purpose. Research shows that limiting carbohydrate intake to fat is appropriate for people with refractory epilepsy.
Supportive therapy with fat, diet for autism, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, some types of epilepsy and encephalopathy is also being considered.
Ketogenic diet - how does it work?
When fat becomes the body’s main fuel during its breakdown, ketone bodies are formed: acetone, acetoacetate and beta-hydroxybutyric acid. They reach the nervous system, where instead of glucose they feed the nerve cells.
Although metabolic changes in this diet are similar to those that occur in hungry people, in the case of epilepsy it has a beneficial effect. High concentrations of ketone bodies in the blood prevent the onset of seizures.