The principle of the ketogenic diet is based on a simple rule: reduce carbohydrates and increase fats.

This diet has been used for nearly a century, especially on children with epilepsy. By decreasing the level of glucose in the blood, it forces the body to adapt to deprivation and to draw on its reserves to produce energy.

Instead of finding it in carbohydrates, the body gets its supplies in fats, the liver will then produce acetone and acetylacetate, and transform them into ketone bodies (or ketones), responsible for feeding the neurons in energy.

Thus, the diet would have the property of slowing down Alzheimer's disease and the progression of cancer by changing the supply modes of diseased cells. For example, Alzheimer's disease prevents neurons from drawing energy from carbohydrates, while the ketogenic diet allows it to be drawn into fat.

Ketogenic diet: what are we eating?

Normally, the diet contains 50% carbohydrates, 35% fats and 15% proteins. With the ketogenic diet, we arrive at about 90% of lipids, 8% of proteins and 2% of carbohydrates.

Permitted foods: fish, seafood, meat and poultry, green leafy vegetables, eggs, butter, vegetable oil, olives, avocado, firm cheeses in small quantities.

It is recommended to consume foods containing monounsaturated fat, such as found in olive oil, nuts or avocado, peanut butter and saturated fat as in meat and dairy products rich in fat . Coconut oil is also highly recommended in a ketogenic diet.

Moderately, you can consume milk, plain yogurt, wine, coffee without sugar.

Foods to avoid: high-carbohydrate vegetables such as carrots, corn, parsnip, potatoes, sweet potatoes, beets, spaghetti squash or peas, sugar, cereals, legumes, fruits , fresh and soft cheeses, compotes, fruit juice, honey, maple syrup or jam.

On average, it takes three days to activate this alternative energy path by allowing the body to cover its energy needs through ketone bodies.

Beware of side effects and imbalances

This diet is very unbalanced, so it must be followed by a doctor and use additional contributions of vitamins, calcium and potassium.

The ketogenic diet can lead to dietary deficiencies. It can also cause transient side effects such as nausea, fatigue or headaches.

There are many warnings about this diet when it is used to lose weight. Indeed, it does not really respect the basics of a balanced diet and removes much of the pleasure of eating. The restrictions are numerous and the authorized foods little varied. From a social point of view, it is difficult to follow at restaurants or at friends' homes, for example.