The ketogenic diet is the weight loss diet that has had the most popularity and growing interest in recent years, so much so that today many people try it at least once to lose weight.

This is despite the fact that it is difficult to go on a ketogenic diet without the support of an experienced doctor. In fact, many people believe, for example, that the ketogenic diet is a protein or high protein diet. Others, on the other hand, believe they can do a ketogenic diet while including foods with carbohydrates.
Be that as it may, there is no doubt that the ketogenic diet is the new slimming trend. But today, a new Chinese study sheds disturbing light on the side effects of the ketogenic diet. Especially for heart health.

KETOGEN DIET: SIDE EFFECTS FOR THE HEART

The ketogenic diet is a diet that provides a maximum percentage of daily carbohydrates ranging from 5 to 10% of total calories, while fats range from 70 to 80%. In this way the body produces substances known as ketone bodies or ketones, which play an energetic role in substitution of carbohydrates. But beware: even a situation of prolonged fasting, for example in the so-called intermittent diets or intermittent fasting diets can lead to ketosis. In this case, the body produces ketones thanks to fasting.

But one study found a correlation between ketone production in the body and the formation of scar tissue in the heart. This means that the ketogenic diet, both the first and second types, can cause permanent damage to the heart that limits its ability to pump blood.

KETOGEN DIET: HERE’S HOW IT DAMAGES THE HEART

The discovery, by scientists from the Universities of Fudan (Shangaii) and Sichuan (Chengdu) , actually happened by chance. The team of researchers was in fact studying the effects of ketones on the immune system. Instead, in the course of the study, they collected clear evidence of episodes of atrial fibrillation and irregular heartbeat in mice fed this type of diet. The same mechanism would occur in humans.

Cell apoptosis, i.e. the programmed death of these cells, is one of the characteristics why people choose the ketogenic diet or the fasting diet to improve the immune system, making it easier for the body to get rid of diseased cells. it would also involve healthy heart tissue cells.

Something that had already been observed in other studies at the level of the pancreas of mice, suggesting the hypothesis that the ketogenic diet led to insulin resistance.

Scientists also noted a deterioration in the health and integrity of the cells’ mitochondria in mice.

Therefore, if one of the side effects of the ketogenic diet there may be scarring of the heart tissue, the advice is to avoid it if you are familiar with cardiovascular events or have previous conditions of cardiovascular problems.
And to do it to the limit for a few weeks, returning as soon as possible to a balanced diet.