Should Women Avoid The Keto Diet?

The Keto Diet has become quite a popular topic in the fitness community. It has been found to aid in the loss of weight and lower the inflammation in the gut.

 New research has shown positive effects for both men and women adhering to a keto-style diet.

What is the Keto Diet?

First, a keto, or ketogenic diet, is designed to keep your body in more of a ketosis state. Ketosis is not abnormal. It is a state where your body is low on carbohydrate fuel. When this occurs, it starts to burn fat, rather than carbs.

 The process produces ketones. The average person does not stay in a ketogenic state except during heavy exercises, such as CrossFit, or during pregnancy.

A ketogenic diet promotes very low carbohydrate and higher fat intake. The body will, in turn, use fat to produce energy. This diet has also been shown to decrease autoimmune diseases and endocrine diseases and also has cancer-fighting properties.

Ketosis can be an issue with diabetics. This can occur if not using enough insulin.

Why is the Keto Diet good for women?

The benefits of being a woman on this diet are surprisingly good. In addition to weight loss and muscle gain, a keto diet has an amazing way of helping the endocrine system. We all realize the effect hormones have on the woman athlete.

Fluctuating hormones can cause pain, fatigue, and even depression. The link between hormones and cancer cannot be denied. A keto diet has been shown to better regulate the endocrine system. Doing this decreases the incidence of some cancers, thyroid disease, and diabetes.

How does a woman initiate a keto diet?

Slowly and carefully. A ketogenic diet should not be started at a full 100 percent. You should slowly decrease the number of carbs you consume. Cutting the carbs too quickly can actually have a negative effect. It can stress the body and confuse it, thus causing a wild imbalance.

Also, if pregnant or nursing, you should not use a keto diet. During this period, eat a well-rounded diet of fruits, vegetables, dairy, and grains.

My best advice, get your body as stable as possible, and then slowly incorporate a ketogenic diet.