Endocrinologist Kiseleva warned pregnant and lactating women against the keto diet

A keto diet is a special diet that is needed in order to help the body switch to using fat as its main fuel instead of glucose, which is the main source of energy in a mixed diet. On this account”Newspaper.ru“I took a comment from the general practitioner, endocrinologist Elena Kiseleva. She spoke about the advantages and disadvantages of this diet.

The doctor explained that the keto diet has a special balance of proteins, fats and carbohydrates: 70% fat, 20-25% protein and only 5-10% carbohydrates, and mostly non-starchy and gluten-free carbohydrates.

“Among the positive effects of the keto diet are: weight loss and prevention of insulin resistance; prevention of liver disease; reduction of bad lipid fractions; reduction of blood glucose; reduction of epileptic brain activity; anti-inflammatory effect in autoimmune diseases; improvement in the course of neurodegenerative diseases of the brain, such as Alzheimer’s disease, autism, multiple sclerosis; the keto diet also reduces the risk of cancer.” — explained the endocrinologist.

But for some people, this diet is categorically contraindicated. The list includes those who have cardiovascular diseases, kidney, liver and adrenal insufficiency, various enzyme deficiencies, as well as pregnant and lactating women, Kiseleva warned.

The doctor explained that some contraindications are considered relative. Among them are chronic pancreatitis along with other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, cholelithiasis, postcholecystectomy condition, familial hypercholesterolemia, Gilbert’s syndrome, urolithiasis, gout and diabetes mellitus, especially type 1 diabetes mellitus. With these ailments, the keto diet is acceptable, but only under the supervision of a specialist.

The therapist clarified that the keto diet is recommended for epilepsy, especially if it resists drug therapy well. In fact, it was in the treatment of epilepsy that the benefits of the keto diet were confirmed. Other indications for it may be metabolic syndrome, obesity, carbohydrate metabolism disorders, or prediabetes, lyric metabolism disorders (hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, dyslipidemia), Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, oncology, multiple sclerosis, various inflammatory autoimmune diseases. The keto diet is also appropriate for people who do not get sick, most often for athletes.

“The most formidable complication of this diet is ketoacidosis. This is an excessive accumulation of ketone compounds in the blood, which can lead to coma and even death. It develops more often in the presence of diabetes mellitus, especially type 1. Another negative effect is ketoflu. This condition, characterized by weakness, malaise, fatigue, dizziness, distraction, headache, decreased performance, increased hunger, various sleep disorders, mood, increased irritability, increased thirst, increased urination, palpitations, convulsions.This can happen at the very beginning when changing diet. Therefore, it is proposed not a sharp exclusion of carbohydrates, but a gradual decrease in their amount to the target”, — emphasized the endocrinologist.

And the keto diet also crowns the risks of kidney stones, the development of cholelithiasis and pancreatitis, constipation due to a low level of plant fiber, and cardiovascular diseases, Elena Kiseleva warned.

The choice of diet really needs to be approached very carefully, while consulting with a specialist. We offer you to read the material in which the toxicologist talks about the various dangers that some diets pose.