Ketogenic diets are fast gaining popularity among the masses due to the powerful potential benefits backed by doctors and researchers. A much higher percentage of the population today suffers from obesity and other health conditions. A carbohydrate-restricted diet forces the body to employ fat metabolism as a primary source of energy and hence leads to weight loss.Â
But shifting to a low-carb diet is not just about losing weight. Apart from achieving sustainable weight loss, there are numerous health benefits of a keto diet for women specifically.Â
Note: This article focuses on the positive results of a ketogenic lifestyle. For learning how to follow a keto diet for women, you may want to read this article by PlanKetogenic first.
It is essential to mention here that keto is not a sex-specific diet except for some minor differences that relate to reproductive health. However, as women have different bodies, they have different nutritional needs. Please note that keto is not recommended while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Let us now focus on the health benefits for women on a keto diet.
1. Balances hormones that are good for the menstrual cycle, sex, and fertility
It is very important for women to eat the right foods to create the right hormones to help keep them healthier. Not getting enough fat can lead to infertility in women. Women need to avoid unhealthy fats, or they can face issues with PMS and menopause. When they take a ketogenic approach, they include healthy fats and thus feel a lot healthier and more energetic.
- Benefits: reduced menopause symptoms, improved sex life, and more energy and vitality.
2. Better control of blood sugar levelsÂ
Another key benefit of the keto diet for women is that it helps to remove blood sugar highs and lows. Balanced blood sugar levels carry several spectacular benefits, and overall, one feels a lot better and more energetic than before. When the body enters ketosis, it needs less insulin because of the lower consumption of carbohydrates. Thus, the body needs to work harder to manage the blood sugar, which gradually becomes more moderate and balanced.
- Benefits: lower inflammation, fewer digestive issues, weight drop, no more binge eating due to fluctuating blood sugar.
3. Favorable effects on cancer treatmentÂ
An increasing number of women suffer from cancer such as colorectal, endometrial, breast, ovarian, lung, and cervical. It is essential to prevent those cancers from spreading with early testing and detection. Scientific evidence suggests that keto may serve as additional support for some cancer treatments as it starves cancer cells and may help make them weaker and more vulnerable to chemotherapy and radiation. Thus, there are therapeutic possibilities due to dietary interventions for women undergoing treatment for cancer.
- Benefits: positive effects on physical function, greater energy levels, and reduced food cravings for fast-food fats.
4. Improved overall health with increased nutrients
When done correctly, by eating whole foods and lots of vegetables, going keto can lead to an improved immune system over time, making women naturally healthier and stronger. A low-carb and high-fat plan allows better absorption of essential nutrients that boost energy levels and health for the overall body. With higher fat-burning potential, one not only sheds weight faster but enjoys greater, more sustained energy levels. Healthy fats improve the skin quality, and as a result, the hormonal balance improves.
- Benefits: Improved health, no more intestinal discomfort.
5. Optimized brain functioning and reduced depression
Our brain is made of cholesterol and fat, but it doesn’t need unhealthy fats but healthy fats to work at optimum efficiency. Thus, additional benefits women who go on a keto diet can find are significant improvements in their brain functioning and decreases in brain fog. A keto program high in healthy fats makes one feel healthier, energetic, happier, and a lot better prepared to deal with everything in life. One can see the positive effects within a few weeks!
- Benefits: May reduce amyloid plaques and reverse their neurotoxicity for improved memory.
6. Potent force for anti-aging and general health
Research is highly suggestive that the keto diet is anti-aging, and it is possible to reverse the effects of aging by having a low carbohydrate intake. With greater metabolic energy in the diet and fewer free radicals within the body, the process of aging slows down. Thus, women who would like to slow down their aging should give keto a try to see the results. The metabolic changes stimulated by ketosis and caloric restriction, such as the production of ketone bodies, protect neurons against numerous neuronal injuries.
- Benefits: Incredibly positive effects such as the anti-aging beneficial impact on anti-aging pathways
7. Decreased appetite and fewer cravingsÂ
Another key benefit of the keto diet for women is that it naturally suppresses appetite. It is observed that those on a ketogenic plan have a decreased appetite, and one reason could be the higher amount of healthy fats being consumed. There is also scientific evidence that shows that a low-carb lifestyle affects hunger hormones; it causes a reduction in hunger.
- Benefits: Fewer cravings mean reduced binge eating.
The female body and low carbs
The ketogenic way of eating restricts carbs and encourages moderate proteins and healthy fats. Women on a keto diet replace their carbs with fats, which are the primary source of energy for their bodies. The protein consumption should be moderate and intermittent fasting is encouraged to reach the ketosis phase faster.Â
As carbs must be very low to achieve ketosis, women need to be careful as they still need all the vital vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients essential for their health.Â
Be sure to consult your doctor before shifting to a keto plan and thoroughly understand the methodology before making any decision. Regardless of gender, it’s always crucial to consider all the pros and cons before starting the ketogenic approach or any other lifestyle change.
The takeaway is that a keto diet for women can have many benefits, such as helping them feel better, slowing aging, and improving general health, along with losing weight.
Collins Nwokolo is a human physiologist, writer and health enthusiast. He loves writing helpful articles on health and fitness, which he enjoys sharing with everyone.
