keto may be cool, but it's not the healthiest

study finds that the high-fat, low-carb diet may be bad for bone health

by jordan heuvelmans

feb 7 2020

2 minute read

join the conversation

stock/getty

the trendy and wildly popular keto diet that has been linked to cardiac arrhythmia and adding strain on the kidneys might have an impact on another vital body system: the skeletal system, according to a new study.

published in the journal frontiers in endocrinology in january, it’s the first study to examine whether the high-fat, low-carb diet may have a damaging effect on bone health.

researchers followed 30 athletes who were about to start intense training for upcoming competitions and race walking. they found that those who followed a keto diet developed early signs of bone loss compared to those who followed a balanced diet.

the study did not look at bone density and did not follow up with participants beyond the three-week period. so whether any harmful effects on bone health would linger, intensify, or disappear after a prolonged period of a eating high fat diet is still unknown.

there’s also the question of whether non-athletes would be affected similarly to the way that athletes would on a keto diet, so further studies are required. the researchers are already planning on looking at the long-term effects of keto diets in later studies.

yet louise burke, one of the study’s lead authors told the new york times that researchers believe the low availability of carbs on a keto diet could very well affect metabolism.

the study adds to the piling evidence that how what we eat affects how exercise affects us. it also raises concerns about the possible, long-term health impacts of popular diet plans, particularly those that include high-fat.

vice reports that doctors have long decried the keto diet as its popularity has surged in recent years. correctly following the diet can involve getting as much as 90 percent of one’s daily calories from fats. this process sends the body into a semi-starvation state known as “ketosis.” the idea is that while in ketosis, the body burns through its fat reserves stored for energy.

while this does help people drop the pounds, it comes with a variety of health issues. the only known medical reasons for going on a keto diet are for helping children with epilepsy and regulating blood sugar in people with diabetes.

while it’s a medically approved diet for specific conditions, this doesn’t mean it’s ideal for weight loss without consulting a professional. there are far better and healthier alternatives to losing weight that don’t harm the body.

keto may be cool, but it's not the healthiest

study finds that the high-fat, low-carb diet may be bad for bone health

rise of the keto diet

ubc study says ketone drinks may help control blood sugar

advertisement

keto may be cool, but it's not the healthiest

study finds that the high-fat, low-carb diet may be bad for bone health

related stories

rise of the keto diet

ubc study says ketone drinks may help control blood sugar

the right chemistry: keto diets work, but is there a catch?

advertisement

share story