by Christina Captain, DAOM, MSAOM, MSHN, MA 

The “keto craze” seems to be on everyone’s radar these days. Keto dieting is touted to be a cure for elevated cholesterol, cancer, Type-2 diabetes, menopausal symptoms and a host of other ailments. Bear in mind, the ketogenic diet is not new to medicine. Drug resistant epilepsy in children has been treated with the ketogenic diet for almost 100 years. 

The ketogenic diet is defined as a meal plan with a low carbohydrate, moderate protein and higher fat focus. In theory, following a ketogenic diet helps the body utilize fat as a source of energy rather than glucose (sugar) from carbohydrates. When there are not enough carbohydrates in the body as a source of energy, the body turns to fat, and this stage is called ketosis. Being in ketosis is essentially where the health benefits occur.   

Most individuals utilize the ketogenic diet for accelerating weight loss; however, there are contraindications in certain disease groups. For example, patients with kidney disease should be cautious, as this kind of diet might worsen their condition. Both Type-1 and Type-2 diabetics, who are insulin dependent are also at risk for hypoglycemia during ketosis. In addition, a ketogenic diet can exacerbate kidney stones in individuals who are susceptible. If you fall into any of these categories, or are medically fragile, please discuss any plans to start a ketogenic diet with your primary care physician.  

I absolutely agree with and support those who use the ketogenic diet to improve health, but I am concerned about individuals who primarily focus on losing weight and decreasing cholesterol numbers. These, in my opinion, are not the only metrics to be cognizant of. Markers of inflammation (the cause of all disease) and pH balance have an even greater importance in creating health and preventing disease.  

I believe the keto diet is flawed because the standard American keto diet tends to consist of dairy products, like cheese and butter, and proteins, like bacon, beef, sausage, nuts, more cheese and more bacon. This type of keto diet—despite its success in weight loss and lowering cholesterol markers in blood—creates an inflamed and acidic environment. This is the type of environment responsible for disease.  

Personally, I find that most keto “newbies,” who are usually on their own, do not incorporate enough greens or plants in general. More focus on plants as food creates a balanced and alkaline environment. Bodies that are less inflamed and more alkaline will age slower, have less pain and be less likely to have mutations at the cellular level (possible cancers). 

 The keto alkaline/green diet incorporates plants, healthier fats and proteins to achieve ketosis in a less inflamed and less acidic environment. For example, instead of the bacon and cottage cheese diet, the more optimal choice would be a Dijon crusted salmon with broccoli sautéed in olive oil and cauliflower rice for a side. The keto green diet is all about healthy plant options, while maintaining higher fat intake within each meal. 

No matter your reason for starting the ketogenic diet, be sure to choose wisely and add more plants than other foods to your plan. This will likely ensure that your health span equals your life span—and that you might remain healthful until you die. Remember to find help from professional sources because the information you will receive far surpasses what you will find on a Google search, and that dear reader, is priceless.  

Dr. Christina Captain is nationally board-certified by the National Commission for Certification in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). She is the lead practitioner at Sarasota Center for Acupuncture and Nutrition. Dr. Captain is also an expert Feng Shui practitioner and teacher who studied under Nancilee Wydra of the Feng Shui Institute of America, before originating her own style, Essential Balance Feng Shui. Since this discipline is a branch of Oriental Medicine, she often blends Feng Shui principles into her treatment plans. Her practice is located at 2650 Bahia Vista St., Suite 101, Sarasota. For more information, call 941-951-1119 or email [email protected].