Is Keto Diet Good for Elders

Keto diet, also known as a ketogenic diet, is a high-fat, moderate-protein, low-carbohydrate diet. Unlike the other fad diets, this weight loss diet stresses on the importance of having every nutrient in your meals. In this diet plan, carbohydrates are not stripped out completely; instead, they are just minimized to minimal or below 5% (approx.) of the diet.

Several health experts have extensively studied the keto diet, and there is sufficient evidence to show that, apart from weight loss, they work against many ailments such as cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease.

As per studies, the following food items are keto-friendly.

• Oils (coconut oil, avocado oil, and olive oil etc.)
• Nuts (almonds, brazil nuts, hazel nuts, walnuts etc.)
• Seeds (chia seeds, flaxseed, sunflower seeds etc.)
• Green leafy vegetables (romaine, spinach, kale, collards etc.)
• Non-starchy vegetables (asparagus, zucchini, broccoli, cucumber, cauliflower, and bell peppers etc.)
• Fruits and berries (blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, lemons, limes etc.)
• Fish (salmon, sardines, lobster, squid, shrimps etc.)
• Meats (chicken, lamb etc.)

In this article, we will explore the connection between keto and healthy aging. Take a look at how ketosis can help everyone enjoy the golden years of life.

• Controls Blood Pressure

A ketogenic diet optimizes your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. So, if you are on blood pressure medication and if you start a low-carb diet, there’s a chance that the diet works out well for you!

With low carb nutrition, the blood-pressure-lowering effect can happen within days, however, depending on your health condition, it may also take a few months or even a year to reach full effect.

• Controls Diabetes

Too many carbs can increase the sugar level in the blood. This is because carbs turn into glucose in the body which is the main source of fuel. So, when you switch from carbs to a nutrition-rich diet plan, blood sugar levels tend to lower and stabilize. Hence, health experts claim that people suffering from diabetes can also follow the ketogenic diet.

• Improves Cognitive Function

Keto diet improves brain functioning, as it tends to increase the number of mitochondria, so-called “energy factories” in brain cells.  Studies also claim that a keto diet has the potential to improve the thinking power of people suffering from Alzheimer's disease, which may even help reduce the risk of the deadly brain disorder in the first place.

• Feel-Good Hormones

Health experts claim that a keto diet releases ‘feel good’ hormones, this further leads to reduced anxiety and stress in individuals. Recent studies have also demonstrated that a ketogenic diet can help in the treatment of depression since the diet has similar effects as that of conventional antidepressant drugs. This factor ultimately slows down the aging process and makes the person feel healthy and fit physically and emotionally.

This fad diet has captured the interest of most people who want to live a healthy lifestyle — and there’s no shortage of reported success stories to be found. However, before you try the keto diet, it’s recommended that you talk to your doctor or nutritionist to ensure your body is receiving the right amount of nutrients to function.

Nevertheless, a diet plan when followed correctly with the right instructions may offer numerous health benefits.