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The ketogenic diet has been a popular option in the world of health and fitness. And while it is making rounds in the minds of health conscious people, it is not without controversy. Athletes and people who exercise a lot usually rely on a high-carbohydrate diet. A ketogenic diet, on the other hand, uses energy by taking on a low-carbohydrate approach.
People who go for the ketogenic diet must stay within the range of consuming 30 to 50 grams of carbohydrates in a day. Most of their food intake comes from consuming fat. This is how a ketogenic diet breaks down:
- Low carbohydrates
- Moderate protein
- High fat intake
While this may seem not an issue for normal people, it causes a stir for athletes. A ketogenic diet is not the usual high-carb diet for athletes; it relies heavily on fat. The purpose of having a low-carb diet is to allow the person under ketogenic diet to go into ketosis and for the body to create ketones using stored fats. Fats are then used as the main source of energy, rather than carbs, used to fuel the body as well as the brain.
Here are some of the vital benefits of a ketogenic diet for athletes:
More focus and rational performance
A ketogenic diet is extremely useful for endurance athletes like marathoners, triathletes, distances swimmers and cyclists. When it comes to the heart and the diaphragm, ketones are the preferred fuel. It is also helpful because when the body enters a state of ketosis, you will have extreme focus and performance to take on demanding tasks.
Stable delivery of energy
Fast-acting glucose is out of the way when it comes to a ketogenic diet because fat is the main fuel source. This holds true especially in low to moderate intensity exercises. With fat being bountiful, athletes under the keto diet are able to exercise longer and achieve energy level that is stable.
Places glycogen on reserve
Ketogenic diet spares glycogen because it burns more fat. With glycogen on reserve, there will be more glucose available for the body for when it needs it most comes high-intensity workouts.
Enhanced rehabilitation from chronic inflammation
If you are an athlete who encountered an injury, it is best if you heal faster. With a ketogenic diet, you have less chronic inflammation, which delays recovery. The anti-inflammatory property found in the ketogenic diet enhances and hastens the recovery process.
Normalizes food intake
Cravings are an athlete’s enemy. With the correct appetite not giving in easily to cravings, an athlete eats only the right amount of food at the right time. Working out will tempt you to eat heavily and cave into junk foods that are high on carbs.
But with a ketogenic diet, that should be less of a worry. A ketogenic diet is popular for its ability to normalize appetite and lessen unwanted cravings.
A ketogenic diet is great for athletes. With these benefits in check, athletes can perform at their best while keeping cravings at bay. It pays to use glucose only when it is necessary while having a stable source of energy.
If you are an athlete or someone who wants to achieve the optimal state of your body, visit Purity Chiropractic. Allow our upper cervical chiropractic adjustments restore your body’s innate ability to self-heal. With ketogenic diet and upper cervical chiropractic, your body is well on its way for the best health possible.
