Ketogenic diet, or Keto diet as it is commonly called, is a diet plan that consists of high fat, adequate protein, low to zero carb diet.  The aim of this diet is to force your body to utilize fats and put you in a state of ketosis.

To fully understand how ketogenic diet would work for weight loss, you must be familiar on how the body produces energy for basic bodily functions.  Cells get their energy from glucose, a type of sugar that can only be found in carbohydrates.  Any excess glucose will be converted to glucagon in the liver and also stored as fats.  A limited amount of glucose in the diet will make your body use the stored glucagon in your liver, as well as convert fats into glucagon.  This conversion is called gluconeogenesis, which is initiated by lipolysis or breaking down of fats.

Because of the absence of glucose, your body is forced to produce ketones.  Ketones are a byproduct of fat metabolism, and are utilized by the body as energy instead of glucose.  An excess amount of ketones in the blood will result to a state called ketosis.  Now, it is important to understand that ketones are only utilized by muscles and organs, but not by the brain.  Ketones in the brain are considered toxic and life-threatening and can produce coma.  Such is the state that happens in ketoacidocis, a condition commonly experienced by diabetic patients.

Experts and proponents of the ketogenic diet attest that the state ketogenic state that you are in is not similar to those experienced by diabetic patients.  The ketogenic phase that you experience in the ketogenic diet is called Ketosis-lipolysis.  Although you have high amounts of ketones in your body, it is not enough to produce detrimental effects.

Once you see the menu for a ketogenic diet program, you may find that it is somewhat similar to Atkin’s diet or Southbeach diet.  It is somewhat true, but also somewhat false.  The purpose of the previously stated diet is, of course, fat loss.  The purpose of the ketogenic diet, however, is also fat loss combined with muscle mass retention.  With ketogenic diet, it is important that you have an active lifestyle to have the full benefits of the diet.  That means regular sessions at the gym, working out, and fitness training.

Before you go for this type of diet, make sure that you do not have any medical or metabolic disorders that will be made worse. These can be but not restricted to: cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and kidney disease.  Consult your doctor and do appropriate lab tests before you undergo ketogenic diet.  The Ketogenic diet might not be the diet you want to do for your P90x extreme workout or your Shaun T Insanity Workout.