The keto diet is based on eating fats and abstaining from carbohydrates, so it is very similar to the Atkins diet. When the body is deprived of carbohydrates, it resorts to consuming fats instead of carbohydrates to provide the body with energy, then the metabolism is in a state of ketosis.
In addition, when the body is deprived of carbohydrates, fats are converted into a substance called ketones, a substance that provides the energy needed for the brain.
There are several types of keto diet, the most important of which are:
The basic keto diet: It depends on eating foods that contain high levels of fat and a very low percentage of carbohydrates as follows: 75% fat, 20% protein and 5% carbohydrates.
Cyclical ketogenic diet: It is based on following the basic keto diet for 5 days a week, and eating foods that contain high levels of carbohydrates during two consecutive days of the week.
Targeted ketogenic diet: It is based on following the basic keto diet, with foods that contain high levels of carbohydrates only before exercising.
High-protein ketogenic diet: This diet is similar to the basic keto diet, but a greater proportion of protein can be consumed in the following form: 60% fat, 35% protein and 5% carbohydrates.
Studies have proven that the keto diet helps the body lose weight about two and a half times more than the calorie-limited diet. In addition to losing weight, the keto diet has many benefits for the human body, as it helps reduce the risk of disease. It also helps lower blood sugar, cholesterol, triglycerides and insulin levels.