Be it keto or other new-age diets, following them without medical consultation could prove detrimental, warn Bengaluru doctors
While reports indicate that a keto diet could have caused a renal failure that killed actor Mishti Mukherjee on Sunday, health experts in Bengaluru are urging people to be cautious when choosing diets.
“A keto diet generally contains high fat from animal sources and high protein. It is low in carbs and has less amount of hidden fibres. This diet is mainly used in treating epilepsy in children. High protein is made up of amino acids and the breakdown of amino acids happens in the kidney. Therefore, consumption of increased protein will put pressure on the kidney while removing toxins, which in turn increases the creatinine level and leads to kidney failure. Consumption of high protein requires high intensity physical activity. Without physical activity, there are high chances of elevation in cholesterol level and weight gain,” warns Pavithra N Raj, Chief Dietician,
Experts believe the actor’s death could have been due to multiple reasons. “Duration of the keto diet, insufficient fluid intake, or the kind of food and beverage chosen could have led to the mishap,” says Reddy Jyothsna, HOD and Chief Clinical Nutritionist, Sakra World Hospital. Keto diet is not suggested for a long term. Healthy ketogenic diet consists of about 75 per cent healthy fat, 10-30 per cent protein and 5-10 per cent or 20-50 gm of carbs, says
A non-supervised keto diet has both short-term and long-term effects like keto rash, vomiting, headache, and dehydration, says
Nothing without supervision
Elaborating on other diets and dietary supplements that can harm the body without supervision, experts say very high protein supplements and vitamins used by bodybuilders may adversely affect a normal individual. Diets like the
Ideal routine during covid times
Following a strict diet plays a major role when you work from home. “Try and reduce the intake of carbohydrate and junk foods, which will add on empty calories to the body and increase weight. Include high-fibre foods and an essential amount of proteins in the diet. A high-protein and high-fat diet should be paired up with physical activities like walking and running, which need to be followed by individuals to stay fit during this time,” says Raj.
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