Ketogenic Diet

The ketogenic diet is a very low-carbohydrate, high-fat eating plan that shifts your body into a state called ketosis, where it burns fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates. Foods like bread, rice, pasta, and sugar are severely restricted, while meat, fish, eggs, cheese, nuts, and oils make up most meals. It can lead to rapid initial weight loss, partly due to water loss and reduced appetite.

A ketogenic diet typically provides less than 50 g of carbohydrate per day (or approximately 5-10% of total energy), with fat contributing 70-80% and protein 15-25%. Carbohydrate restriction depletes hepatic glycogen, triggering ketogenesis — the production of ketone bodies (β-hydroxybutyrate, acetoacetate, acetone) from fatty acids. Ketones serve as alternative fuel for the brain and suppress ghrelin, contributing to appetite reduction. Evidence supports short-term efficacy for weight loss, though long-term sustainability and cardiovascular safety remain areas of active research.

While the ketogenic diet can be effective for short-term weight loss, it requires medical supervision due to potential side effects including nutrient deficiencies, electrolyte imbalances, and elevated LDL cholesterol in some individuals. Dr. Joseph Wang at Accord Medical can guide patients on whether this approach is suitable for their specific health profile.