The keto diet, sometimes called the ketogenic diet, is a special high-fat, low-carbohydrate, high-fiber diet that in traditional medicine is mostly used to treat childhood epilepsy. The keto diet forces the human body to use up fat reserves as opposed to glucose or glycogen, which are the main sources of energy in our body. This diet has been shown to prevent epileptic seizures and may also promote long term health by decreasing a person’s risk for coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. In addition to these benefits it can also help increase the feeling of fullness and ease depression in people who feel they are too heavy. Many people believe this diet helps them for a number of reasons.

Although there are two types of low carb diets, the low-glycemic index (LBM) and the low-glycemic response (LDR) there is one crucial difference between them. The low-glycemic index is based on the Glycemic Index (GI) which rates the speed with which carbohydrates break down in the system and the levels of glucose produced in the blood. The low-glycemic diet is based on a guideline that suggests that roughly half of the carbohydrates eaten should be in the form of glucose while the other half of the carbohydrates should be in some sort of fiber-based starch. The low-glycemic index is considered a healthy way to control blood sugar, but recent studies have shown that people following the diet tend to eat more often, overeat, and gain weight than people who stick with a similar eating plan but who consume less carbohydrates.

Those who are suffering from diabetes, especially type I diabetics, can benefit greatly from the ketogenic diet. Because it lowers blood sugar levels naturally, people with diabetes can enjoy foods like fish, lean meat, and vegetables while still feeling satisfied. If you are looking for a natural, weight-loss alternative to prescription and nonprescription medications, the keto diet may be the answer you are looking for.