Most Americans are not in a ketosis state because of their high carbohydrate intake. The word "ketosis" indicates that your body burns fat as its main source of energy, producing ketone bodies as a by-product. Ketosis is not dangerous, and diets that induce it can help treat diabetes and epileptic seizures, as well as malignant brain tumors. Arteriosclerosis, characterized by a hardening of the arteries and a build-up of plaque, could also be improved by ketosis.
Ketosis and Arteriosclerosis
No studies to date have specifically looked at the relationship between the degree of arteriosclerosis and the type of diet consumed. However, some researchers, who put obese patients with documented arteriosclerosis and cardiovascular disease on a ketogenic diet for six weeks, showed that ketosis could promote fat loss and improve blood lipids significantly, as published in 2003 in "Mayo Clinic Proceedings." The benefits of ketosis could still be seen in these arteriosclerotic patients after 52 weeks. Long-term studies would be needed to see if ketogenic diets could help reduce mortality and improve quality of life and longevity.
Ketosis and Blood Cholesterol Levels
One of the main objectives to prevent cardiovascular disease or avoid further health problems in people with arteriosclerosis is to control blood cholesterol levels. If you follow a diet that induces ketosis, you could achieve significant improvements, especially in your triglycerides and HDL cholesterol levels, according to a study published in May 2004 in "Annals of Internal Medicine." A ketogenic diet could also help you correct high blood pressure as well as high blood sugar levels, which both contribute to worsening arteriosclerosis. Additionally, being in ketosis help you decrease your need for medications to lower blood cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugars.
Ketogenic Diet
The only way to be in ketosis is by modifying your diet. No medications or other lifestyle modifications have the power diet has when it comes to inducing ketosis and forcing your body into using fat for fuel. A ketogenic diet is by definition very high in fat, which should give you approximately 75 percent of your daily calories, while protein should provide you about 20 percent of your calories. Keep your carbohydrate intake very low, below 50 g a day, to be in ketosis. If you take medications or suffer from any health problems, consult your doctor before adopting a ketogenic diet.
Ketogenic Meals
Whether you want to prevent arteriosclerosis from occurring or worsening in your arteries by following a ketogenic diet, you will need to modify your typical high-carb meals for very low-carb, high-fat meals. For example, your breakfast could be eggs and sausages with mushrooms and tomatoes cooked in olive oil. For lunch, fill up with leafy greens served with smoked salmon or canned tuna with cheese, avocado slices, olives and generous amounts of low-carb salad dressing. Snack on nuts, roast beef slices or hard-boiled eggs. For dinner, simply serve chicken breast, pork chops or rump steak drizzled with cream, accompanied with a big helping of broccoli, asparagus or red bell pepper with a few pats of butter. Stay away from grains, potatoes, legumes, milk, yogurt, fruits, sweets, desserts and sugary drinks to keep your carbs below 50 g a day.
References
- Epilepsy Foundation: Ketogenic Diet
- "Nutrition & Metabolism"; The Calorically Restricted Ketogenic Diet...; Weihua Zhou, et al.; February 2007
- "Annals of Internal Medicine"; A Low-Carbohydrate, Ketogenic Diet...; William S. Yancy Jr., et al.; May 2004
- "Mayo Clinic Proceedings"; Effect of a High Saturated Fat and No-Starch Diet...; James H. Hays, et al.; 2003
- Food and Agriculture Organizations of the United Nations; The Role of Carbohydrates in Maintenance of Health; 1998
- Pubmed Health; Atheroclerosis; May 2010
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