The ketogenic diet was originally used to treat children with epilepsy in hospitals but recently it is a very popular diet for weight loss. It is based on high intake of dietary fats (at least 75% of daily energy intake), moderate protein intake (approximately 10 to 15% of daily energy intake) and very low intake of carbohydrates (maximum 50g per day consumed by vegetables). This stimulates the body to use fat as a source of energy instead of glucose.
The objectives of my thesis was to research the effects of the ketogenic diet on weight loss, appetite, the desire for other foods and general well-being, and the determination of the attitude towards a ketogenic diet in people eating according to the principles of a ketogenic diet.
In the empirical part of the research, I obtained 205 answers on questions about the effect of ketogenic diet on individuals eating in this way through a web survey published on www.1ka.si. I was interested in how many kilograms they lost, how they feel, what their personal doctor thinks about ketogenic diet, where they obtain informations about the diet, how much they agree with some health claims, which foods they consider healthy for consumption and what are the reasons they have chosen this type of diet.
I have found that despite the minimal sporting activity the respondents lose a lot of pounds, especially during the first months of the diet. They are satisfied with the results, feel well and have no problems with hunger or desire for other food and snacks.
Based on the results, I concluded that the ketogenic diet is very suitable for weight loss and certainly worth more attention in clinical practice. However, further research is needed on the long-term impact of ketogenic diet on health. I estimate that diet users get insufficient professional information about the diet and should consult a dietitian and a doctor to monitor their nutritional and health status. Ketogenic diet is a very specific diet, and its functioning is extremely complex, so dieters should be well acquainted with the diet and its action on the body. It is also important that they are led by expert in this field.
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