The ketogenic diet has gained popularity in recent years and has become a favored nutritional plan for people of all ages. With that said, this dietary roadmap could yield particularly significant health benefits for people over 50.
Ketogenic Diet Overview
Scientifically classified as the ketogenic diet, this nutritional plan emphasizes decreased consumption of carbohydrate-containing foods and increased fat intake. Reduced carbohydrate intake is said to eventually put dieters’ bodies into a biological and metabolic process known as ketosis.
Once ketosis is established, medical researchers believe that the body becomes especially efficient at burning fat and converting these substances into energy. Additionally, during this process, the body is believed to metabolize fat into chemicals categorized as ketones, which are also said to provide important sources of energy.
[An accelerator of this is an intermittent fasting method where the restricting of carbs causes your body to access the next available energy source or ketones that are derived from stored fat. In this absence of glucose, fat is now burned by the body for energy.]
There are a number of other specific ketogenic diets including:
Directed (TKD)
Those who participate in this version gradually add small amounts of carbohydrates to their diet.
Cyclic (CKD)
Adherents to this diet plan consume carbohydrates cyclically, such as every few days or weeks.
High in protein
High protein diet watchers consume higher amounts of protein as part of their diet plans.
Standard (SKD)
In general, this more commonly practiced version of dietary intake significantly lowered carbohydrate concentrations (perhaps as little as 5 percent of all dietary intake), along with protein-laden foods and a large amount of fatty products (in some cases, as much as 75 percent of all dietary needs).
In most cases, the average dieter or someone who is new to the ketogenic diet engages in the standard or high-protein versions. Cyclical and specific variations are usually performed by professional athletes or people with very specific dietary needs.
Recommended foods
Adherents of the ketogenic diet are encouraged to consume foods such as meat, fatty fish, dairy products such as cheeses, milk, butter and cream, eggs, produce products that have low concentrations of carbohydrates, seasonings such as salt, pepper, and a host of others. spices, various necessities and seeds and oils such as olive and coconut. On the other hand, certain foods should be strictly avoided or limited. Such items include beans and vegetables, many fruits, high-sugar groceries, alcohol, and grain products.
Ketogenic Diet Benefits for People Over 50
Followers of the ketogenic diet, especially those over the age of 50, are said to enjoy numerous potential health benefits, including:
Greater physical and mental energy
As people age, energy levels can decline for a variety of biological and environmental reasons. Followers of the ketogenic diet often witness an increase in strength and vitality. One of the reasons why this occurrence occurs is because the body is burning excess fat, which in turn is synthesized into energy. Additionally, the systemic synthesis of ketones tends to increase brain power and stimulate cognitive functions such as focus and memory.
Improved sleep
Individuals tend to sleep less as they age. Ketogenic dieters often benefit more from exercise programs and tire more easily. Such an occurrence could precipitate longer and more fruitful rest periods.
Metabolism
People who age often experience a slower metabolism than during their youth. Long-term keto dieters experience increased blood sugar regulation, which can increase their metabolic rates.
Weightloss
Faster and more efficient fat metabolism helps the body shed accumulated body fat, which could precipitate the loss of extra pounds. Additionally, adherents are also believed to experience a reduced appetite, which could lead to a decrease in caloric intake.
Maintaining weight is important, especially as adults age, when they may need fewer calories per day compared to when they live in their 20s and 30s. However, it is still important to get nutrient-dense foods from this diet for older adults.
Since it is common for older adults to lose muscle and strength, a nutritionist may recommend a specific high-protein ketogenic diet.
Protection against specific diseases
Ketogenic dieters over the age of 50 may reduce their risk of developing diseases such as diabetes, mental disorders such as Alzheimer’s, various cardiovascular diseases, various types of cancer, Parkinson’s disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and multiple sclerosis.
Aging
Some consider aging to be the most important risk factor for human disease or disease. Therefore, reducing aging is the logical step to minimize these risk factors for disease.
The good news extending from the technical description of the ketosis process presented above shows the increased energy of youth as a result and due to the use of fat as a fuel source the body can go through a process where You can misinterpret the signs so that the mTOR signal is suppressed and a lack of glucose is evident, so it is reported that aging may be slowed down.
In general, for years, multiple studies have pointed out that calorie restriction can help slow aging and even increase life expectancy. With the ketogenic diet it is possible, without reducing carories, to have an anti-aging effect. An intermittent fasting method used with the ketogenic diet can also have an effect on vascular aging.
When a person fasts intermittently or when on the ketogenic diet, BHB or Beta-Hydroxybutyrate is produced which is believed to induce anti-aging effects.
In fairness, as reported in the US National Library of Medicine’s National Institutes of Health article “Effects of Ketogenic Diets on Cardiovascular Risk Factors” in May 2017; Ketogenic diets, which are very low in carbohydrates and generally high in fat and / or protein, are used effectively in weight loss during the treatment of obesity and cardiovascular disease. However, an important note in the article was that “the results regarding the impact of such diets on cardiovascular risk factors are controversial” and “furthermore, these diets are not entirely safe and may be associated with some adverse events.”
It’s safe to say that it takes more than just researching this diet, benefits, positive effects, and side effects, especially in older adults, through the internet and periodicals alone. Specifically, they should consult their medical professional about specific concerns.
