To understand why the ketogenic diet is bad in the long run, you need to understand how the ketogenic diet works in the first place. A ketogenic diet is one that is very low in carbohydrates, which is one of the main sources of energy for the body.
During digestion, the body breaks down carbohydrate-rich foods and produces glucose, which is used as the main source of energy for the body to function. When the body is starved of carbohydrates, it changes its fuel source from glucose to fat and ketones. This stage is known as ketosis, where the body relies on fat and ketones as its main source of fuel for energy. The body enters this state generally within 3-4 days after starting the diet.
This change in diet is usually accompanied by various symptoms such as irritability, headache, concentration problems, dizziness, bad breath, stomach aches, difficulty sleeping, constipation, confusion and many others. For this reason, these symptoms are also called the keto flu.
Typically, the symptoms of the keto flu go away within a week and the body begins to lose weight. Weight loss can often be quite visible and dramatic. Most people could be very happy to see that the diet works after all. But this can have some negative effects that can be detrimental or even dangerous to your health.
You must understand that your body needs a balanced diet for a healthy life. As soon as you start deriving your body from certain types of healthy foods, an imbalance is created in your system that can lead to nutrient deficiencies. If your body continues to experience a long-term nutrient deficiency, it can present a number of risks to your overall well-being.
Nutrient deficiencies can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, which is pretty well documented. A ketogenic diet also tends to be low in fiber and minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, and vitamins A, B, and B6. Therefore, you must increase your water intake. You will also need to consult your doctor for the right supplements to help avoid a long list of health conditions that can accompany nutrient deficiencies.
But by far the biggest problem with this form of diet is sustainability. When you deprive your body of your favorite foods, your body can start to increase cravings, forcing you to abandon your diet. And when you’re back to eating normally one more time, the rebound weight gain could be dramatic, too. This could be accompanied by side effects again, as your body begins to readjust to glucose as its main fuel source for energy.
For all these reasons, the ketogenic diet cannot be used as a long-term solution to losing weight. If you want to lose weight quickly in the short term and are ready to suffer from uncomfortable symptoms, maybe you can try this solution. But it might be a bad idea to opt for this lifestyle as a long-term, permanent solution to losing weight.