Are Keto Diet Healthy: Fad diets like the one Hollywood actors are putting themselves on this week often beg for big promises of weight loss and optimum health, but at any risk?

The keto diet works best for managing seizures in kids with epilepsy, according to Rachel Kleinman, RDN, LDN, clinical dietitian. There’s little research on the diet’s effectiveness for treating obesity or diabetes.

The ketogenic or keto diet , which has become somewhat in vogue in the past several years, is incredibly strict to maintain and follow.

What is ketosis?

Ketosis is a metabolic adaptation to enables the body to survive during a period of famine. Instead of sugar or glucose from carbs, your body will break down ketone bodies, a type of fuel that the liver creates from fat.

To maintain ketosis, the diet needs you to eat 75 percent of your habits from fat, at a rate of 20-35 percent in traditional food. It also requires 5 percent of calories from carbohydrates, roughly 20 to 50 grams per day, and 15 percent of calories from protein. It takes about 72 hours for ketosis to kick in, Kleinman said. It’s essentially a diet of all or nothing.

The keto diet is essentially high in fat, with minimal intakes of lean proteins and carbs, so foods dieters would be eating should include fatty fish, eggs, dairy, meat, butter, oils, nuts, seeds and low-carb vegetables. Unflavored choclate, coconut oil and other “fat bombs” help them meet their daily fat intake goals.

Foods that are compliant with keto, such as red meats and nuts, can be expensive. You also don’t need keto-branded products such as keto coffee or any supplements — those are both expensive and unnecessary.

Is the keto diet healthy?

“Keto-diet weight loss and lower blood sugars are just a quick fix, however,” says wellness dietitian Mary Condon, RN, LDN. “More often than not, it’s unsustainable. “More often, weight gain can return, and you’ll gain double the amount you lost.”

In general, Condon says you should always consult your primary care doctor before starting any new diet.

What Are the Risks Associated with Adopting the Keto Diet?

“If you’re on diabetic medication that induces low blood sugar, those meds might need to be adjusted within a few days,” Condon says. “There are heart-healthy sources of fat, but if that person isn’t educated on heart-healthy sources of fat, they could be eating too much saturated fat, which can put them at greater risk for heart disease.”

Is the Keto Diet Safe?

The keto diet can lead to low blood pressure, kidney stones, constipation, nutrient deficiencies, and a higher risk of heart disease. Strict diets like keto could even lead to social isolation or disordered eating. Keto is unsafe for people with any condition that affects their pancreas, liver, thyroid, or gallbladder.

And when you first start the keto diet, you also might experience what’s known as the “keto flu,” which can lead to symptoms like upset stomach, dizziness, low energy, and mood swings as your body adjusts to ketosis.

Is the Keto Diet Bad for You?

Both Condon and Kleinman have said they wouldn’t recommend the keto diet to their patients, because in the long run, it’s simply not realistic or sustainable. The diet also limits fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy, which are beneficial for long-term weight loss and overall health.

“There’s not a single good diet for everybody,” Kleinman says. “Do your research, talk to a dietitian, talk to your doctor, and be safe.”