Kim Kardashian flaunted her flat abs in an uncharacteristically demure Instagram bikini selfie while vacationing in Mexico.
Kardashian is fitter than ever after losing 56 pounds in six months on a low-carb ketogenic-style Atkins diet that limited her daily carb intake to less than 60 grams.
The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carb, moderate-protein diet with a macronutrient ratio of roughly 65 percent fat, five percent carbs and 30 percent protein.
Linda O’Byrne, chief nutritionist for Atkins Nutritionals, told me Kim’s daily menu combined proteins like fish, chicken and meat; healthy fats like olive oil, avocados and nuts; low-starch vegetables, and some low-glycemic fruits like berries.
O’Byrne said low-carb, high-fat (LCHF) eating plans such as the Atkins and ketogenic diets promote rapid weight loss and fight belly fat better than traditional low-fat diets.
“For a flat belly, avoid foods that are high in processed carbs, starchy carbs and sugar, as these tend to cause bloating,” said Linda.
Keto Diet Proven Better Than Drugs for Epilepsy
While Kardashian’s dramatic weight loss has helped raise the mainstream profile of the Atkins and ketogenic diets, the eating plans have recently enjoyed renewed popularity after recent scientific reports confirmed that unprocessed saturated fat is not unhealthy.
In a stunning reversal, Time magazine recently trumpeted that scientists were wrong for blaming saturated fat as the cause of obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
In a provocative cover story, Time said the 40-year demonization of saturated fat was based on flawed data, citing a March 2014 Cambridge University study. Time, which slammed fat as unhealthy in a damning 1977 cover story, said the true cause of obesity, diabetes and heart disease is a high-carb diet.
“It’s not saturated fat we should worry about,” said cardiologist Dr. Rajiv Chowdhury. “It’s the high-carb or sugary diet that should be the focus of dietary guidelines.”
While the keto diet has made headlines for its capacity to produce fast weight loss, it has long been used to treat epilepsy patients. The ketogenic diet has already proven more effective than drugs for preventing seizures, said Dr. John Freeman, author of Ketogenic Diets, widely considered the definitive guide for the dietary management of children’s epilepsy.
Charlie Smith, a six-year-old British boy, recently made headlines after revealing the ketogenic diet has changed his life. Smith used to suffer up to 300 epileptic seizures a day, but has not had a single seizure for the past two years since switching to the keto diet.
“The ketogenic diet has changed our lives for the better,” Smith’s mom told MetroUK. “As soon as Charlie switched to it, it was as if a cloud had been lifted. Charlie has his life back, and has not had an attack since he started the diet two years ago. It’s a miracle.”
Keto Diet Prevents and Manages Cancer, Combats Depression
In other surprising health news, the ketogenic diet has been touted for its capacity to prevent and manage cancer. Research scientist Dr. Dominic D’Agostino told me the ketogenic diet can combat cancer because cancer is a metabolic disease, and cancer cells thrive on sugar.
“Most cancer scientists have historically thought cancer was a genetic disease, but only 5-10% of cancer is hereditary,” said D’Agostino. “When we restrict carbs in our diet, we can prevent pro-inflammatory spikes in blood glucose and blood insulin.”
Studies also suggest the ketogenic diet can curb depression and bipolar disorder. This isn’t surprising to Dr. Jeff Volek, a professor at the University of Connecticut.
Volek has followed a ketogenic diet for the past two decades, and credits it for his excellent physical and emotional health. “It was nothing short of an epiphany when I changed to a ketogenic diet,” Dr. Volek told me. “I felt better, more satiated, and had more consistent energy.”
Volek, author of The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Living, said the ketogenic diet can produce optimal health, for both elite endurance athletes and the average sedentary individual.
“There are very few people that a ketogenic diet could not help,” he said. “Carbohydrate restriction is the proverbial ‘silver bullet’ for managing insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes.”
With new reports confirming that unprocessed saturated fat is good for you, Volek is confident more people will embrace the LCHF lifestyle and take control of their health through diet.
“It’s an exciting time,” said Dr. Volek, who also wrote New Atkins For a New You. “There’s a lot of momentum. I think the pendulum is swinging in the right direction.”
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