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Although the ketogenic diet has gained popularity recently, this eating concept is not new.
In fact, it has been used to treat epilepsy since the 1920s.
But does keto after 40 and beyond really work.
This low-carb diet came back into the spotlight in the ’90s after Dateline ran a section listing it as a treatment alternative.
So, how did it move from being a treatment for epilepsy to one of the most popular weight-loss regimens?
More importantly, what is this diet all about?
This article seeks to answer this and more questions about the ketogenic diet.
You can also head over to Amazon to get my book which goes into much greater detail, plus it's filled with over 100 recipes!
What Is a Ketogenic Diet?
At its core, the ketogenic diet is one that triggers the body to release ketones into the bloodstream to use for fuel.
Usually, most cells get their source of energy from blood sugar, which is a byproduct of carbohydrate consumption.
In the absence of this blood glucose (sugar), the body is forced to break down stored fat into molecules known as ketone bodies.
During this process—which is referred to as ketosis—your cells use the resulting ketones to produce energy.
It’s important to note that ketosis doesn’t happen instantly.
It takes two to four days to occur and this only happens after you start eating a lot fewer carbohydrates than usual and increasing your fat intake significantly.
Typically 20 to 50 grams of carbohydrates daily is what is required.
As you might have guessed, this low-carb diet consists of drastically changing your eating habits.
However, results are dramatic and most people find they love the foods they are able to eat.
It’s rich in healthy fats and proteins. Ideally, even the snacks you eat on this diet consist mainly of fats and proteins like the Lemon Poppyseed Protein Bar, which contains zero sugar.
Unfortunately, not everyone is able to adhere to a ketogenic diet. Mainly due to the restrict nature even though weight loss is fairly rapid.
Since nearly 50% of the typical American diet is made up of carbs, it’s not surprising that many followers end up falling off the wagon.
Some people also criticize this diet claiming that it forces many to eat excess amounts of protein and low-quality fats derived from processed foods.
Benefits of a Keto after 40 and Beyond
Despite the constant criticism, a ketogenic diet is very healthy for everyone, and more so for adults aged 40 and above.
In fact, it's one of the best diet plan for over 40 female and the best diet for over 40 male users.
Here are a few ways through which a ketogenic diet addresses concerns faced by adults and seniors.
Insulin Resistance
At present, there are more adults and senior citizens who are dealing with obesity and insulin-related conditions like diabetes.
If left untreated, diabetes leads to severe conditions such as loss of vision and kidney disease.
If you are suffering from either one of these conditions (obesity or diabetes), you should switch your diet to a nutrient-rich one that is low in sugar.
There’s no better option than a ketogenic diet. With this diet, you're able to control blood sugar levels and reduce weight.
Having a glucose and ketone monitor is very helpful also.
Bone Health
Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by the reduction in one’s bone density.
Subsequently, causing fragile and brittle bones. As expected, osteoporosis is more prevalent among adults and seniors than it is among young people.
Lately, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been recommending people who suffer from this disease to increase their calcium intake. Mainly by consuming more milk products.
However, calcium is not the ultimate answer to osteoporosis.
In fact, statistics show that countries that have the highest rates of dairy consumption also have the highest rates of osteoporosis.
So, what is the answer to this condition? An all-inclusive diet filled with all the necessary micro nutrients but low in toxins!
The problem with many non-ketogenic foods is that they contain tons of toxic compounds.
These toxins interfere with the absorption of micro nutrients including calcium; thus, increasing one’s risk of developing osteoporosis.
The good thing with a low carb diet is that it’s not only loaded with one specific micro nutrient (calcium).
It contains tons of other micro nutrients including sodium, iron, and magnesium.
Inflammation
For many people, aging comes with chronic pain often caused by injuries that occurred at a younger age.
This pain could also be the result of inflammatory conditions like arthritis.
Luckily, eating ketogenic friendly food helps to lower the production of cytokines, which are responsible for inflammation.
Taking supplements like Turmeric Curcumin has also been shown to help lower inflammation.
Therefore, following keto is beneficial for older women and men for many reasons.
Nutrient Deficiencies
The elderly often have deficiencies in these nutrients:
- Iron: inadequate amounts of iron leads to brain fog and fatigue.
- Vitamin B12: having insufficient amounts of vitamin B12 causes neurological conditions like dementia.
- Fats: a deficiency of fat causes issues with cognitive ability, skin problems, and loss of vision.
- Vitamin D: being deficient in vitamin D also leads to cognitive impairment and an increased risk of heart disease.
The Ketogenic Diet and Controlling Blood Sugar
As we stated earlier, there’s a correlation between poor control of blood sugar and an increased risk of brain-related conditions.
These include conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia. Factors that heighten the risk of these diseases are:
- Excessive intake of carbohydrates, particularly fructose. Luckily, the ketogenic diet has a very low number of carbohydrates.
- Diets very low in fats and good cholesterol—the ketogenic diet is abundant in these two nutrients.
- Oxidative stress-ketogenic foods protect against this.
The Ketogenic Diet and Aging
One key benefit of the ketogenic diet is that it provides more nutrition per calorie. This is crucial in maintaining health as we get older. As you age, your basal metabolic rate decreases.
This explains why seniors would have a much harder time surviving on junk than an individual in her twenties.
To boost their metabolic rate, the elderly are advised to eat disease-fighting, nutrient-rich foods. They’re also recommended to avoid empty calories, which are present in high-sugar and over-processed foods.
Final Word
The primary goal of the ketogenic diet is to train your body to rely on fat for energy. Overall, our bodies are fueled by glucose obtained from carbohydrate-rich foods.
However, when we deprive the body of carbs, the body has to find ways to make energy from other sources.
During ketogenesis, the body relies on fat for energy. This is the main concept behind the ketogenic diet.
Essentially, this diet involves increasing the intake of healthy fats while limiting carb intake. There are several perks of following the ketogenic diet, particularly for adults and seniors.
These include reducing risk factors for age related diseases, mitigating the risk of inflammation, and building and maintaining healthy bones.
