WASHINGTON 鈥� The ketogenic or “keto” diet as a very low-carb, high-fat diet that shares many similarities with the Atkins and other popular low-carb diets.
By drastically reducing carbohydrate intake and replacing it with fat, the diet puts the body into a metabolic state called ketosis. Once this happens, the body burns fat for energy.
As a new year brings in new resolutions for health and fitness, some may be considering the popular keto lifestyle. Anthony Gustin, founder and CEO of Perfect Keto,聽 that 鈥済rowth has been pretty wild,鈥� adding that his company averaged 20 percent growth each month in the last year.
But here’s the million dollar question: Is the keto diet safe?
Best-selling author and former host of “The Biggest Loser” Jillian Michaels says no.
鈥淗ere鈥檚 the thing they鈥檙e not telling you about keto,” said Michaels. “It has a ton of oxidative stress on the body.
“There鈥檚 zero calorie restriction, tons of animal fats, tons of saturated fats. We鈥檙e seeing study after study that diets like this are shaving years off our lives [up to seven years].”
The keto lifestyle, she said, shortens telomeres and starves micromolecules. “The No. 1 insulin sensitizer doesn鈥檛 require a medical state of emergency for your body like keto,” Michaels said. ” 鈥� It鈥檚 actually exercise.鈥�
Michaels’ latest book is
Those looking to change their eating habits to shed some pounds, may benefit from taking Michaels’ recommendation: implement the聽to get the benefits of the keto diet without the negative side effects.
鈥淣ot eating too much, eating on a particular schedule, creating an overnight fasting period, and doing your best to work in foods that are very rich in micronutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, probiotics, prebiotics and so on is going to be the best program period 鈥� end of story,” she said.
“It鈥檚 not my take on it. It is science, just like two plus two equals four.鈥�
Hear the full interview below 鈥� including how much daily sleep you need to be your best.
