The Dangers of the Keto Diet

The ketogenic diet is a low carb, high fat diet commonly used for weight loss. By restricting carbs and increasing fat intake you can put your body into ketosis, a metabolic state in which your body relies primarily on fat for energy instead of carbs.

Although there are some positives to the diet, it also carries risks you should definitely be aware of. For example, lean body fat may be tapped into for fuel and therefore can impair athletic performance.

Heart Disease 

A diet high in saturated fat is a contributing factor to the risk of heart disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warn that a diet high in fat and cholesterol may raise the risk of heart disease and cardiovascular illnesses.

High fat animal foods such as meat and cheese are staples in the keto diet. If you are at risk for heart disease, high amounts of these foods can cause issues down the line.

Dehydration 

High levels of ketones in the body need to be excreted which can lead to dehydration and an electrolyte imbalance. Carbohydrates are responsible for holding water and sodium in your body. When you restrict carbs, they are excreted, which means you retain less water.

This dehydration is what causes some people to think that they are losing weight quickly. Dehydration and loss of electrolytes can further impair performance.

Organ Damage 

The aforementioned dehydration leads to inadequate blood flow to the organs which can lead to organ damage. This coupled with the breakdown of lean body tissue further impairs organ function.

In addition, high fat animal foods can increase your risk of kidney stones. That’s because a high intake of animal foods can cause your blood and urine to become more acidic, leading to increased excretion of calcium in your urine. 

Weakened kidneys may be unable to remove the acid buildup in your blood that results from these animal foods. All of these factors can lead to permanent organ damage.

The bottom line 

While the keto diet is linked to weight loss and other health benefits in the short term, it may lead to many other problems over time.