What Older Adults Need to Know About Ketogenic Diets

It’s official: the ketogenic diet is the most popular type of diet across America. An analysis by Supplement Place revealed that Americans have inquired about the popular high-fat and low-carb diet more than any other dietary regimen

Now, this growing popularity stems from the keto diet's potential health benefits, especially in weight loss. Most importantly, senior citizens can also experience improved health outcomes through keto. But before you go on a high-fat and low-carb diet, you need to consider the following:

You can lose weight by doing a ketogenic diet

The keto diet became popular due to its ability to aid in weight loss. This is because the method requires you to increase your intake of fat and lower your consumption of carbohydrates. Once you follow this dietary pattern, your body will enter a metabolic state called ketosis. This then encourages your body to create energy by burning fat. And it's effective! Reuters notes that individuals lose more weight through the keto diet as compared to other eating habits. And though these are impressive short-term results, experts emphasize that you’ll still need to maintain your weight through behavioral strategies, social support, and adequate physical activity.

Ketogenic diets are not for everyone

The ketogenic diet can lead to beneficial health outcomes, but you still need to find out if it’s the right dietary plan for you. Before starting the keto diet, you must consult with a doctor or a nutritionist. In particular, older adults who need to lose weight can tap into their Medicare plans to save costs on these consultations. Medicare Part B can cover dietary assessment and nutrition counseling services conducted by primary care doctors while Medicare Houston explains that older adults enrolled in Advantage plans can take advantage of additional services from physicians and fitness centers. Through such resources, registered nutritionists from fitness centers can assess your health and recommend the right diet based on your needs.

Keto diets can be beneficial for diabetics

Your doctor or your nutritionist may recommend the ketogenic diet, especially if you’re an older adult with diabetes. This is because limiting your carbohydrate intake can help lower your blood sugar. In fact, Dr. Mark Cucuzzella states that patients can improve the effects of their type 2 diabetes by reducing their carbohydrate intake and eating more nutrient-dense food. He also highlights that older adults with type 2 diabetes do not respond well to carbohydrates as it leads to higher insulin and blood sugar levels. On the other hand, fat and protein consumption don't produce the same effect. Thus, diabetics who consume a keto diet for around six months can achieve better health outcomes compared to patients who try other dietary changes.

You’ll need to monitor a lot of factors regularly

Ketogenic diets are undoubtedly useful in reaching a healthier weight. However, you’ll need to regulate your food intake and monitor your ketone levels regularly to guarantee positive results. To start, your meals need to be composed of 75% fat, 20% protein, and 5% of carbohydrates. You can achieve this high-fat, low-carb diet by consuming more eggs, meats, dairy, and low-carb vegetables. Additionally, you'll need to keep an eye on your health. Our article entitled ‘Is Ketosis Dangerous?’ emphasizes that you need to monitor your levels of ketosis regularly using ketone test strips. This ensures that your ketone levels are in the optimal range for your own health goals. By following the right protocols for the keto diet, you can keep yourself in check and align your diet with your fitness goals.

The ketogenic diet is great for older adults who need to lose weight and manage their diabetes. However, you’ll need to consult your doctor and observe the right protocols while undergoing it. Make sure that you’re aligned with your health goals by trying the Best Ketone Test. This handy little tool can help you monitor your ketone levels for optimal results.

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