The Keto Diet

Carbohydrates, fats and proteins are the macronutrients that make up our daily diets. Our bodies run on carbs – they are turned into energy to fuel all our metabolic processes. As long as our bodies have a steady source of carbohydrates, they will preferentially use them as a source of glucose to make the energy our bodies need.

But what happens if carbs are not available? If our bodies are unable to make energy we will not survive. However human beings have evolved lots of backup systems to keep us going if conditions change, and energy production is no exception. When we can’t make energy from the carbs in our diet our bodies can use fats for fuel.

And this is where the Keto Diet comes in. The Keto Diet is a daily food plan that puts the body into a state called ketosis. When we are in ketosis, we are essentially burning fat for fuel, instead of carbs. Ketosis happens when our bodies break down stored fats, and uses one of the breakdown products, fatty acids, to make ketones. These ketones are then used by the body to make energy and it is when ketones are produced for energy production that the body switches into a state of ketosis. Whether the body is in ketosis or not can be measured by the levels of ketones in our blood or urine.

Originally the Keto Diet was a medical diet that was designed in the 1920’s to assist children with uncontrolled epileptic seizures1 . It is still used today as a technique to help manage this condition, however in more modern times it has become popular as a weight management tool.

To achieve ketosis, a diet high in healthy fats, moderate in protein and low in carbohydrates is essential. Typically, the ratio of fats to protein to carbs is 70:20:10 – a keto diet would be made up of 70% healthy fats, 20% lean protein and 10% carbohydrates. In this way we are providing our bodies with fats to burn for fuel, restricting the amount of carbs available while maintain a healthy balance of protein for growth and repair processes.

DIETARY FATS ON KETO

One type of fat in particular, is especially helpful on a keto diet. And that is medium chain triglycerides, or MCT’s. MCT’s are found in high levels in coconut oil, which is why coconut is an ingredient included in most keto diets. MCT’s are easily digested and converted to ketones by the body which supports the body to stay in the fat-burning state of ketosis2. MCT’s, along with other healthy fats found in vegetable oils, fish, avocados and nuts are a super-important source of energy and nutrition while on keto. Unfortunately however, many people believe that any fats can be consumed in any amounts as part of a keto diet. But unhealthy fats, like those found in processed meats like ham, salami and bacon, should not be a main source of fat intake while on keto.
Sometimes it can be a challenge to make significant changes to your diet, and that’s where supplements formulated specifically for a Keto Diet can be helpful.

Radiance Keto MCT Oil is sourced from coconut oil and is palm oil free. MCT oil helps to hit fat macros on the keto diet and helps your body to produce more ketones to burn for energy.
A keto diet is low carb and so often lacks fibre. Radiance Keto Fibre supports dietary fibre intake while on keto to keep you regular, support a healthy bowel and heart, balance blood sugar fluctuations and maintain a healthy microbiome.
Radiance Keto Fire kickstarts your morning or fires up your afternoon and is specially formulated with MCTs, carnitine for energy plus caffeine, guarana and cayenne to really get you energised!
Radiance Keto Coffee is your bulletproof keto pick-me-up. It contains caffeine, inulin to help keep you feeling full, MCT powder and l-carnitine for energy. It’s your great keto alternative to regular tea and coffee.

The Keto Diet can help you achieve your weight management goals, but as with any diet programme, it should be undertaken in conjunction with healthy exercise. If there is any underlying medical condition present you should consult your medical practitioner before doing the Keto Diet and the Keto Diet is not suitable for children, pregnant and breastfeeding women.

References 
1 https://www.news-medical.net/health/History-of-the-Ketogenic-Diet.aspx
2 https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/mct-oil-benefits#section1