According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than 1 billion people worldwide are obese – 650 million adults, 340 million adolescents and 39 million children. This number is still increasing. WHO estimates that by 2025, approximately 167 million people – adults and children – will become less healthy because they are overweight or obese.
Obesity is a disease impacting most body systems. It affects the heart, liver, kidneys, joints, and reproductive system. It leads to a range of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and stroke, various forms of cancer, as well as mental health issues.
The key to preventing obesity is to act early !!!
The ketogenic diet, or keto diet for short, is a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet that has been shown to help some people lose weight. The goal of the diet is to get the body into a state of ketosis, in which it is burning fat for fuel rather than carbohydrates. To do this, the diet requires people to significantly reduce their intake of carbohydrates and increase their intake of fats. This is typically achieved by following a diet that includes very few carbs and a higher proportion of fats, such as nuts, avocados, and oils.
Some people may also choose to supplement their diet with exogenous ketones, which are ketone bodies that can be taken as a supplement to help the body enter and maintain a state of ketosis. While the keto diet can be effective for weight loss and other health benefits, it is essential to speak with a healthcare professional before starting any new diet.
Because the keto diet requires you to significantly reduce your intake of carbs and increase your intake of fats, it can lead to weight loss. When your body is in a state of ketosis, it begins to burn stored fat for energy instead of glucose, which can help you lose weight.
The keto diet can help improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes, as it can reduce the need for insulin and help stabilize blood sugar levels.
Some people following a keto diet report increased mental clarity and focus, possibly due to the increased production of ketones, which can be used as an alternative fuel source for the brain.
The keto diet may decrease the risk of heart disease by reducing levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol and increasing levels of "good" HDL cholesterol.
The keto diet has been used for decades to treat children with epilepsy who do not respond to other treatments.