DeepSummary
The host, Dr. Hazel Wallace, answers a listener's question about the ketogenic or low-carb, high-fat (LCHF) diet. She explains what the keto diet is, its macronutrient composition, and the types of foods it includes. She discusses the research on the keto diet's effects on weight loss, cholesterol levels, and cardiovascular health, noting that studies have shown mixed results.
Dr. Wallace mentions that while the keto diet can suppress appetite, it hasn't been proven superior to other diets for weight loss, and it can be difficult to maintain long-term. Regarding cholesterol levels, some studies have shown an increase, likely due to the diet's high saturated fat content. However, in cases where the diet has caused adverse effects on cholesterol or liver enzymes, stopping the diet has led to normalization.
Dr. Wallace's overall stance is that she doesn't believe there's enough evidence to suggest the keto diet is superior for weight loss or cardiometabolic health. She believes the downsides, such as the lack of fiber, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, outweigh the potential benefits. She recommends consulting a doctor or registered dietitian before attempting the keto diet.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The ketogenic or low-carb, high-fat (LCHF) diet is a very low-carb diet, typically consisting of 5-10% of calories from carbs and high in saturated fat.
- While the keto diet can suppress appetite, research has shown mixed results on its effectiveness for weight loss and potential negative impacts on cholesterol levels.
- The keto diet's high saturated fat content and lack of nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains are potential downsides.
- Dr. Hazel Wallace does not recommend the keto diet due to its potential downsides and lack of evidence for superiority over other diets for weight loss or cardiometabolic health.
- Individuals considering the keto diet should consult with a doctor or registered dietitian to determine if it's a safe and appropriate approach for their personal health.
- The information provided in the podcast should not be taken as individual medical advice and should not replace consultation with a healthcare practitioner.
- While the keto diet may work for some individuals, a more balanced diet that includes carbohydrates may be a safer and more sustainable approach for achieving weight loss goals.
- Genetics and individual responses to the keto diet can vary, emphasizing the need for personalized guidance from a healthcare professional.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Firstly, let's just talk about the ketogenic diet. The keto diet, or the ketogenic diet is one form of a low carb diet, but it's considered to be a very low carb diet in that it only includes five to 10% calories from carbs per day.“ by Dr. Hazel Wallace
- “In terms of weight management, the research shows that very low carbohydrate diets can suppress your appetite, but they haven't been shown to be superior to other types of diets for weight loss, and they can also be really difficult to maintain in the long term.“ by Dr. Hazel Wallace
- “So the thing is, when we naturally reduce one nutrient, that is carbs, in this case, we increase another. And typically with a ketogenic diet, that means we're increasing a lot of saturated fat and we're reducing a lot of foods which we know are good for cholesterol levels and our heart health.“ by Dr. Hazel Wallace
- “So, personally, I don't think there's enough evidence to suggest that the keto diet is superior for weight loss or cardiometabolic health. And I think the number of downsides outweigh the upsides.“ by Dr. Hazel Wallace
- “Again, if this is a diet that you want to explore for your own health, you need to speak to your own doctor or registered dietitian or nutritionist and make sure that this is the best approach and the safest approach for you.“ by Dr. Hazel Wallace
Entities
Concept
Person
Product
Website
Episode Information
The Food Medic
Dr. Hazel Wallace
3/10/23
Our listener question this week is “I am wondering if the keto/ LCHF diet really is for everyone, or if there are some people to whom it may do more damage than good, increasing their cholesterol or even causing non-fatty liver syndrome?"
Please note : this podcast should not be taken as medical advice or replace that of your usual medical practitioner.