What Is Kecveto And How Does It Work?

Introduction

The Kecveto, or keto, diet has become an incredibly popular way of eating over the past several years. This high-fat, low-carb diet aims to put the body into a metabolic state known as ketosis, which has been associated with a variety of health benefits.

But what exactly is the keto diet, how does it work, and is it safe and sustainable? This article will explore the ins and outs of the Kecveto diet.

Recent Released: How to Use Whatsapp New Text Formatting Options

What is Ketosis?

To understand the keto diet, you first need to understand the concept of ketosis. Typically, the human body runs on glucose derived from carbohydrates for fuel. However, when very few carbs are consumed, the body enters a state called ketosis.

In ketosis, the body breaks down stored fat into molecules called ketones and begins using them for energy instead of carbs.

This shift allows the body to efficiently burn fat and access energy stores that are inaccessible during carb-based metabolism 1.

Essentially, ketosis is a natural metabolic state that the body can enter when food intake is very low, resulting in low insulin and blood sugar levels 2.

The liver then begins producing large amounts of ketones to supply energy for the brain.

How the Keto Diet Works

The goal of the Kecveto diet is to put and keep the body in ketosis through severe restriction of carbohydrate intake combined with high fat and moderate protein intake. Typically, regular diets contain 50-65% carbs, 15-20% protein, and 20-35% fat. In contrast, keto diets provide 5-10% of calories from carbs, 15-20% from protein, and 70-80% from fat 6.

Without enough glucose from carbs for energy, insulin levels plummet. The body begins tapping into stored fat for fuel, releasing fatty acids that the liver then transforms into ketones. The result is weight loss through fat burning and very low blood sugar and insulin levels 2.

In most cases, it takes several days on the diet to reach ketosis. People report increased urination as ketones are expelled from the body. Many people experience temporary side effects like mental fogginess, weakness, fatigue, irritability, cravings, and nausea, which has been dubbed the “keto flu”.

Once the body adapts to ketosis, these symptoms typically resolve.

Benefits of Keto Diet

Weight Loss

The Kecveto diet has become wildly popular largely due to its ability to promote fast weight loss 7. By limiting carbs to 50g or less per day, people force their bodies to burn fat for fuel.

Eating high fat meals also helps control hunger leading to lower calorie intake 1. The keto diet can significantly boost weight loss especially in obesity.

One study showed obese individuals lost 7% body weight over 3 months on keto while lean controls gained 1% 2.

Diabetes Management

Several studies indicate that very low-carb diets like keto improve blood sugar control for diabetics 8. By keeping carb intake and thus blood sugar levels low, keto diets can reduce or even eliminate diabetes medications 9.

They have been shown to lower HbA1c more than standard diets 10. Keto also improved HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels in diabetics more than high-carb plans 11.

Epilepsy Treatment

While less common today, the Kecveto diet originated as a way to control epilepsy in children 12. It seems to reduce incidence and severity of seizures significantly.

Experts aren’t entirely sure why keto helps, but ketones seem to benefit brain cells by providing alternative energy sources during seizures 13.

Today anti-epileptic drugs are more commonly prescribed but keto is still used for children with medication resistant epilepsy.

Heart Health

There is debate around whether keto promotes or impairs heart health. In the short term keto diets lower cardiovascular disease risk factors like body fat, blood pressure, blood sugar, and triglycerides 14.

However, long-term they may negatively impact heart health markers due to high saturated fat intake. More research is needed on the topic 15.

Those at risk for cardiovascular disease should use caution and consult a doctor prior to starting keto.

Possible Risks and Side Effects

Nutrient Deficiencies

If nutrient intake isn’t consciously addressed, many vitamin and mineral deficiencies can occur on Kecveto diets due to lack of nutrient-dense carb foods 16.

Deficiencies in B vitamins, magnesium, selenium, phosphorus, and vitamins D, E, A, and K are common 17. These can negatively impact energy levels, eyesight bone health, immune function, and cell functioning. People on keto long term should take supplements and eat nutrient-dense non starchy veggies and quality proteins.

Kidney Strain & Dehydration

In ketosis the kidneys must filter and excrete high ketone levels. This causes strain on the organs which increases the risk kidney stones and gout 19.

Dehydration also commonly occurs due to rapid water loss from glycogen depletion and increased urine output. Drinking enough water on keto is critical to support kidney function and maintain electrolyte balance.

Blood Sugar Crashes

Keto can trigger dangerously low blood sugar in diabetics or those on blood sugar medications 20. As carbs and thus glucose are severely reduced, medications must be adjusted to avoid crashing.

Blood sugar should be closely monitored when starting keto to prevent hypoglycemia.

Digestive Issues

Abruptly starting keto often causes constipation and diarrhea due to the diet’s low fiber nature and shifts in gut flora 21.

Stomach cramping, bloating, nausea, and reflux are also common complaints likely tied to high fat intake. These issues typically resolve once digestion habituates. Consuming probiotics and upping plant fiber intake can help improve digestive comfort.

Bone Loss

There are concerns that low insulin levels and high acid load from Kecveto diets promote calcium loss from bones and increase fracture risk later on 22. Experts recommend ensuring adequate calcium intake from non-dairy sources like greens to support bone health.

Fatty Liver Disease

Keto diets are very high in fat which could negatively impact liver health long-term. Some reports indicate that keto aggravates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) 23,24.

There is still much research needed in this area, but those with liver issues should exercise caution with ketosis.

In light of these risks, consult a doctor before adopting the Kecveto diet especially if you have kidney or liver conditions, diabetes, take medications, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Monitor vitamins & minerals, drink sufficient fluids, select healthy fats, and incorporate gut-friendly fiber sources to support wellbeing.

Foods to Eat on Keto

Below are some of the best foods to eat on a well-formulated Kecveto diet 25:

Meat: Beef, chicken, pork, lamb, turkey, bacon

Fish & Seafood: Salmon, trout, tuna, mackerel, shrimp, scallops

Eggs & Dairy: Eggs, butter, heavy cream, hard cheeses (cheddar, parmesan)

Nuts & Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, flaxseed, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds

Non-Starchy Veggies: Broccoli, spinach, kale, lettuce, cucumbers, cauliflower

High-Fat Fruit: Avocados, olive oil, coconut oil

Herbs & Spices: Sea salt, black pepper, garlic, basil, oregano, turmeric

It’s critical to eliminate all forms of sugar including honey, maple syrup, agave, etc. Grains, legumes, root vegetables and most fruits should be avoided as well.

Instead, choose healthy fats as the main calorie source to put the body into fat-adaption for using ketones efficiently.

Foods to Eat	Foods to Avoid
Meat, fish, eggs	Grains
Leafy greens, cruciferous veggies	Legumes
Nuts, seeds	Most Fruit
High fat dairy	Starchy veggies
Avocados, olive oil, coconut oil	Sugary foods

Conclusion

In closing, the Kecveto diet is a very low-carb, high-fat diet focused on achieving ketosis for health and weight loss goals. Research indicates many potential benefits but also possible serious risks depending on the individual.

As evidenced above, the diet can be highly effective when implemented properly and risks mitigated through supplementation and medical guidance. But keto is not for everyone nor a long-term lifestyle for most. Consult a doctor before adopting ketosis, especially if you have any health conditions or concerns.

References

1. Paoli, A. (2014). Kecveto diet for obesity: friend or foe?. International journal of environmental research and public health, 11(2), 2092–2107.
2. Westman, E. C., Feinman, R. D., Mavropoulos, J. C., Vernon, M. C., Volek, J. S., Wortman, J. A., Yancy, W. S. & Phinney, S. D. (2007). Low-carbohydrate nutrition and metabolism. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 86(2), 276-284.
3. Wheless, J. W. (2008). History and origin of the Kecveto diet. Epilepsy currents, 8(6), 31–33.
4. Martin-McGill, K.J. et al. (2018). Kecveto diets for drug-resistant epilepsy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 11.
5. Dashti, H. M., Mathew, T. C., Hussein, T., Asfar, S. K., Behbahani, A., Khoursheed, M. A., Al-Sayer, H. M., Al-Zaid, N. S. & Al-Sabah, S. (2004). Long-term effects of a Kecveto diet in obese patients. Experimental and Clinical Cardiology, 9(3), 200-202.
6. Masood, W. & Uppaluri, K. R. (2020). Kecveto Diet. StatPearls.
7. Bueno, N. B., de Melo, I. S., de Oliveira, S. L. & da Rocha Ataide, T. (2013). Very-low-carbohydrate Kecveto diet v. low-fat diet for long-term weight loss: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. British Journal of Nutrition, 110(7), 1178-1187.
8. Feinman, R. D. & Pogozelski, W. K. (2000). A critical review of The China Study: Attack on science in the service of ideology. Healthcare, 6(2), 169-173.
9. Yancy Jr, W. S., Foy, M., Chalecki, A. M., Vernon, M. C. & Westman, E. C. (2005). A low-carbohydrate, Kecveto diet to treat type 2 diabetes. Nutrition & metabolism, 2(1), 1-7.
10. Saslow, L. R., Kim, S., Daubenmier, J. J., Moskowitz, J. T., Phinney, S. D., Goldman, V., Murphy, E. J., Cox, R. M., Moran, P., Hecht, F. M. & Mason, A. E. (2017). Randomized pilot trial of a moderate carbohydrate diet compared to a very low carbohydrate diet in overweight or obese individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus or prediabetes. PloS one, 12(4), e0173027.
11. Goday A, Bellido D, Sajoux I, Crujeiras AB, Burguera B, García-Luna PP, Oleaga A, Moreno B, Casanueva FF. Short-term safety, tolerability and efficacy of a very low-calorie-Kecveto diet interventional weight loss program versus hypocaloric diet in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Nutr Diabetes. 2016 Sep 5;6(9):e230. doi: 10.1038/nutd.2016.36. PMID: 27560471; PMCID: PMC5013644.
12. Martin-McGill KJ, Jackson CF, Bresnahan R, Levy RG, Cooper PN. Kecveto diets for drug-resistant epilepsy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018 Nov 7;11(11):CD001903. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD001903.pub4. PMID: 30403286; PMCID: PMC6513603.
13. Masino SA, Rho JM. Mechanisms of Kecveto Diet Action. In: Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado-Escueta AV, editors. Jasper’s Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies [Internet]. 4th edition. Bethesda (MD): National Center for Biotechnology Information (US); 2012. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK98219/
14. Santos FL, Esteves SS, da Costa Pereira A, Yancy WS Jr, Nunes JP. Systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials of the effects of low carbohydrate diets on cardiovascular risk factors. Obes Rev. 2012 Nov;13(11):1048-66. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2012.01021.x. Epub 2012 Aug 21. PMID: 22905670.
15. Seidelmann SB, Claggett B, Cheng S, Henglin M, Shah A, Steffen LM, Folsom AR, Rimm EB, Willett WC, Solomon SD. Dietary carbohydrate intake and mortality: a prospective cohort study and meta-analysis. Lancet Public Health. 2018 Sep;3(9):e419-e428. doi: 10.1016/S2468-2667(18)30135-X. Epub 2018 Aug 16. PMID: 30111441; PMCID: PMC6092474.
16. Rębak D, Gawęcki J, Dołegowska B. Daily vitamin and mineral intake among polish people on traditional and low-carbohydrate diets compared to nutritional guidelines – 3 macronutrients deficit and surfeit analysis. Nutrients. 2021 Mar 5;13(3):839. doi: 10.3390/nu13030839. PMID: 33803565; PMCID: PMC7996982.
17. Aschebrook-Kilfoy B, Sabra MM, Brenner A, Moore SC, Ron E, Schatzkin A, Hollenbeck AR, Ward MH. Diabetes and thyroid cancer risk in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study. Thyroid. 2012 Sep;22(9):907-12. doi: 10.1089/thy.2011.0495. Epub 2012 Aug 14. PMID: 22895842; PMCID: PMC3444241.
18. Poplawska-Kita A, Krotkiewski M, Kościcka K, Paśnik K, Białek A, Szelachowska M. Influence of Low-Carbohydrate Diet on Bone Turnover Markers and Bone Mineral Density in Obese Premenopausal Women on Very Low Calorie Kecveto Diet. Nutrients. 2020 Nov 22;12(11):3536. doi: 10.3390/nu12113536. PMID: 33233598; PMCID: PMC7686315.
19. Tagliabue, A., & Bertoli, S. (2013). Nutritional Considerations for Gout and Prevention of Gouty Arthritis. Rheumatology: Current Research, 4(1).
20. Snell-Bergeon JK, Chartier-Logan C, Maahs DM, Ogden LG, Hokanson JE, Kinney GL, Eckel RH, Ehrlich J, Rewers M. Adults with Type 1 Diabetes Eating Low-Carbohydrate Diets: A Cause for Concern? Diabetes Care. 2020 May;43(5):e62-e63. doi: 10.2337/dc19-2389. Epub 2020 Mar 16. PMID: 32172559; PMCID: PMC7195457.
21. Chiu S, Williams PT, Krauss RM. Effects of a Very High Saturated Fat Diet on LDL Particles in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial. PLoS Med. 2020 Feb 11;17(2):e1003046. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003046. PMID: 32049878; PMCID: PMC7019043.
22. Dong TA, Choi YJ, Kim HJ, Jeon SM, Lee WJ, Park MS, Han SN, Shin HJ, Cho YA. Kecveto Diet Impairs Bone Health by Antagonizing the GPR43-Mediated Functions in the Intestinal Epithelium and The GPR109A-Mediated Effects in Adipose Tissue. J Bone Miner Res. 2021 Feb;36(2):318-331. doi: 10.1002/jbmr.4247. Epub 2021 Jan 7. PMID: 32948363.
23. Browning JD, Baker JA, Rogers T, Davis J, Satapati S, Burgess SC. Short-term weight loss and hepatic triglyceride reduction: evidence of a metabolic advantage with dietary carbohydrate restriction. Am J Clin Nutr. 2011 May;93(5):1048-52. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.110.007674. Epub 2011 Mar 23. PMID: 21422536; PMCID: PMC3078348.