While the ketogenic diet is all over the news and can even seem like a new diet fad, it’s not. It’s actually quite ancestral, primal, paleo. When the human body is deprived of carbohydrates, and thus glucose, or even when they are eaten in small amounts only, the body naturally switches over to burning its own stored fat. A by-product of fat burning is ketones. Ketones are made in the liver and then delivered into the blood as an alternative energy source for the body. Humans experienced this state often throughout the ages as fruit and vegetables were only available part of the year and grains and grasses had not yet become the main source of fuel that they now are.
Now though, an endless variety of carbohydrates are available year round, and they have become our main fuel all the time. In addition to being carb and glucose dependent (and suffering all the associated symptoms and illnesses as a result), our bodies have forgotten how to burn fat efficiently and are missing out on the benefits of using ketones for energy.
Ketosis begins the process of reducing our dependence on carbs and reversing and resolving the associated health issues of that dependence. This process takes time and professional, experienced guidance and is not appropriate for everyone and for every health issue.
During the Initial Intake, it will be revealed whether this is the optimal approach to resolving the presenting health issues and meeting the established health goals. Often, it is necessary to establish foundational nutrition and restore the body’s innate ability to digest fat properly before undertaking a ketogenic diet.