While some celebrities have appreciated the keto diet, which includes a high fat, very low-carb diet, many health enthusiasts, including Jillian Michaels, have spoken out against it.
Keto diet is something that we have had our doubts, especially about its long-term health effects. Many people have tried it out with mixed results.
Also called the ketogenic diet, the keto diet remains a very debatable topic. And Jillian Michaels is not backing down on her firm criticism against the keto diet, which she openly described earlier this year.
Recently, she appeared on the podcast #Adulting, which is hosted by comedian Zack Peter and fitness expert Nikki Sharp. Jillian said, “People can criticize me all they want, but the bottom line is, it’s science and the science is there—and [keto is] bad for your overall health and wellness.”
She explained that the keto diet works by essentially depriving your body of carbohydrates and replacing them with fat and some amount of protein. The key is to make your body develop a state called ketosis, in which your body uses fat as a source of energy and stops burning carb instead of fat.
Many keto diet followers like it because there is no calorie counting and certain off-limit foods such as red meat, cheese, and butter are actually encouraged.
And Michaels is not a big fan of ketosis. She said, “Ketosis is a state of medical emergency, so when the body becomes what is called ‘ketotic,’ your cells cannot function. Your cells function optimally in a very specific pH. Any endocrinologist will explain this to you.”
Michaels also said, “Although keto can help with weight loss, there are better ways to shed fat – like by eating a balanced diet full of lean protein, fresh produce, and whole grains. You can achieve all the good stuff with none of the bad stuff.”
She added, “And the ‘bad stuff’ that comes along with keto can be pretty scary – like constipation, keto breath, nutrient deficiency, and even diabetic ketoacidosis.
The health enthusiast noted, “It attacks the s**t out of your liver, your thyroid. It shortens your telomeres, it’s bad for your macromolecules. I mean, it makes you stink, but that’s—we can table that one!” So, the conclusion is there are a few health benefits of following the keto diet, but it can miss out on the essential nutrients that your body needs to function optimally. And if you are looking to lose weight, you must first check with your doctor to determine which plan is suitable and best for you.
