Ketogenic diets work their magic through a process called ketosis. By drastically reducing your carb intake and replacing it with fats, your body switches from using glucose as its primary energy source to burning fat. This shift prompts the liver to produce ketones, which are molecules that fuel your brain and body during ketosis.
A ketogenic diet has limited carb portions. As a result, your body taps into its fat stores for energy. This can lead to more efficient fat-burning and weight loss.
Ketones have an appetite-suppressing effect, helping you feel full and satisfied even with fewer calories. This can naturally lead to reduced food intake.
The ketogenic diet can help regulate blood sugar levels, which in turn can reduce insulin spikes. Lower insulin levels are associated with less fat storage.
Initially, as your body depletes its glycogen stores (carb-based energy), you may lose water weight. This quick drop on the scale can be motivating, although it's not necessarily a long-term fat loss.
Ketogenic diets prioritise protein intake, which is crucial for maintaining muscle mass. This is important for overall body composition, as preserving lean muscle mass helps ensure that weight loss comes from fat rather than muscle tissue.
The process of converting fats into ketones for energy requires more effort from the body compared to using readily available glucose. This increased metabolic demand may contribute to higher calorie expenditure, supporting weight loss.
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