The Comparison of Atkins Diet vs Keto: Which One Suits You?

The Comparison of Atkins Diet vs Keto: Which One Suits You? 

Nowadays, both Atkins and keto diet is completely popular and so many people search them on the internet.

Both of the diets are focussed on consuming a very low carbohydrate.

Thus, by consuming less carbohydrate, you will gradually lose weight.

Even though each of the procedures is different, the two kinds of diet can promote weight loss.

That is the good news.

Meanwhile, on the other side, both of the diets have their own rules and possible risks.

Let us compare the Atkins diet vs Keto, then decide...

...which one suits you.

What is a ketogenic diet?

The Ketogenic diet is a diet high in fat and medium protein, as well as a very low carbohydrate content given to treat people with epilepsy and other diseases, ranging from children, adolescents, to adults.

The ketogenic name refers to the increased production of ketones in the body as a result of this particular diet.

Ketones are the three compounds formed during fat metabolism and are usually excreted through the urine.

Abnormally high ketone levels are called ketosis, and this condition is the goal of the ketogenic diet.

Ketosis is believed to help control the frequency and severity of epilepsy attacks, although the reason is not fully understood.

In this diet, we must continue to undergo a diet with a low ratio of carbohydrates, high fat, and high protein, to achieve ideal body weight.

Limiting the intake of carbohydrates can make us lack of certain types of nutritious foods, such as beans, potatoes, vegetables, and fruits.


What are the benefits of the ketogenic diet?
 
1. The benefit of the ketogenic diet is to increase control of epileptic seizures without the need for high-dose anticonvulsant drugs with associated side effects. Patients who respond to a ketogenic diet well can live an almost normal life.

2. Experimental treatment with a ketogenic diet can slow the progression of the disease, even when cure is unlikely to be expected in patients with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) or other disorders.


Are there any risks on the ketogenic diet and how to prevent them?
 
There is one thing for sure in the ketogenic diet.

Patients with ketogenic diets should be supervised by experienced teams in medicine, usually based on epilepsy special care centers.

Although ketogenic diets look like a more "natural" way to control epilepsy attacks compared to drugs, the basis of the ketogenic diet is a very unnatural food choice and forces the body to get the energy it needs in an unusual way.

Minors should be prevented from accidental ingestion of sugar contained in over-the-counter medicines, toothpaste, mouthwash, or other similar products.

Because the ketogenic diet is an unnatural way to get nutrition, this diet has the potential to have side effects.

It is reported that some adverse events could occur in patients who are applying classic ketogenic diets, including:

• Inhibition of growth caused by protein deficiency
• Lack of vitamins and minerals
• Nausea, vomiting, or constipation
• High levels of abnormal and abnormal blood fats after stopping the ketogenic diet
• Kidney stones or gallstones
• More frequent infections due to the immune system weakening
• Inflammation of the pancreas
• Dehydration
• Decreased bone density
• Irregular menstruation (in adolescent girls and women)

How to do the ketogenic diet?
 
Classical ketogenic diets (Johns Hopkins protocol)

1. The ketogenic diet applied to the Johns Hopkins Pediatric Epilepsy Center is generally regarded as the standard or classic form of the diet.

2. Common protocols for children aged between 3 and 12 years provide a ratio of 4 parts fat to 1 part protein and carbohydrates simultaneously. Infants, toddlers, and teenagers usually start with a 3: 1 ratio.

3. Each patient may require a ratio ranging from 2.5: 1 to 5: 1; this ratio can change as needed once the diet starts.

4. Doctor's visit once in three months for most children, although infants can visit once a month.

5. During a ketogenic diet, children should take a multivitamin and mineral supplement (especially calcium).

6. Consumption of anticonvulsant drugs is usually continued in the first months of the onset of the diet, but the dose administered is lower if the patient responds well to his diet, can even be stopped completely


Early fasting of the ketogenic diet
 
Before starting a classic ketogenic diet, the child should undergo fasting for 24 to 48 hours followed by several days of hospitalization, so that the child's body fluid can be measured and possible side effects can be monitored.

Before coming to the hospital, the child's food for the previous three days should be recorded so that the doctor can find out the average daily caloric intake to adjust the diet to suit the child's growing needs.

The goal is to keep the child's body mass index in the 50th percentile.

The amount of protein in the diet is regulated according to the child's age, kidney function, and mental stress factors.

As long as the child is in hospital, parents are given a four-day program to help them understand the child's diet and the food preparation exercise, as well as the child's supervision.

Here is a Johns Hopkins hospital stay schedule for children:

• Sunday (the night before registration): Patients start fasting at home, starting at night.

• First day (Monday): Patient is taken to the hospital. Fasting is still running, fluid intake is limited, and blood sugar is monitored every six hours.

• Second day (Tuesday): Patients are given "eggnog" drinks for dinner (1/3 of the required calorie allocation for dinner); blood sugar control stopped. Parents are asked to start checking ketone levels in the child's urine. The level of ketone should be between 80 to 160 mg / dL if the diet goes well.

• Day three (Wednesday): Eggnog is given for breakfast and lunch (1/3 of the required calorie for breakfast and lunch); dinner (eggnog again) increased to 2/3 of the required portion.

• Day four (Thursday): Breakfast and lunch are given in 2/3 of the required portion; a completely ketogenic dinner (not eggnog) is given for the first time to the patient.

• Fifth day (Friday): After a complete ketogenic breakfast, the patient's recipe needs are reviewed, the next meeting is determined, and the patient can leave the hospital.


Summary of the ketogenic diet
 
The ketogenic diet is a long-term diet but not for unlimited use in children.

Most patients who respond positively to the diet will stay on a diet for about two years.

Diet should not be stopped unexpectedly. Most doctors recommend parents to give patients regular food slowly and see if the epilepsy attacks are still under control.

The modified Atkins diet

This diet has four phases.

In phase one (induction) is recommended to reduce total carbohydrates and eat only about 20 grams of carbohydrates net or no fiber, per day.

When eating is recommended there should always be protein and an additional three servings of fat. This phase lasts two weeks.

During the second phase, carbohydrate intake rose by 50 grams and some food sources were added.

This means we can also eat more vegetables and fruits, nuts, and seeds. Phase two is done until the target body weight to reach less 4.5 kilograms again.

Phases three and four are learning to maintain weight once it is achieved.

In phase three gradually plus the type of food, such as vegetable heart, whole serelia, and milk. This phase ends after the target weight is reached and maintained for four weeks.

The last phase is the phase of maintaining weight and we can continue the diet as in phase three.

Due to the diuretic effect of carbohydrate restriction diet, usually weight will go down faster. But, a drastic decline can make us feel tired, unstable mood, and lethargic.

Some people may not be able to run this diet in the long run, and the challenge is we need to ensure adequate fiber intake every day.

High intake of saturated fats in this diet can also affect long-term health.

However, this diet is better than the ketogenic diet.

Atkins diet encourages the culprit to transition the diet gradually so that the weight that has been achieved can last a long term.


Johns Hopkins hospital experiment in 2002

In 2002, Johns Hopkins hospital experimented on six children and adults using a modified Atkins diet (not a classic 4: 1 ketogenic diet) to control epileptic seizures.

These patients were not admitted to the hospital; not having to fast before starting a diet; not limited to calorie intake, protein, or body fluids; carbohydrates are limited to 10 grams per day, and it is recommended to consume high-fat foods.

Of 20 patients, two-thirds showed a sharp decrease in epileptic seizures, 9 were able to reduce the dose of drugs, and there was no growth of kidney stones.

Based on this initial success, doctors at Johns Hopkins designed the modified Diet Atkins protocol for 20 children, as follows:

• Carbohydrate calculation guidelines are given to the patient's family.
• Carbohydrate intake is limited to 10 grams per day for the first month.
• Adequate fat intake in mayonnaise, butter, oil, cream, etc. highly recommended, although the exact number is not defined.
• Clear, calorie-free and carbohydrate-free fluids are not limited.
• Patients are given low-carb multivitamins and calcium supplements.
• Urine levels are checked twice a week and weighed once a week.
• Low-store store-bought carbohydrates (shakes, snack bars, etc.) are not recommended, at least in the first month.
• Every three months, blood tests and complete metabolism are performed on the patient.

What's in the food of Atkins diet?
 
Here is a daily menu for children with a standard 4: 1 diet that allows 1,500 calories per day:

• Breakfast: eggs and bacon, made with whipped cream and butter, plus an apple
• Snack: peanut butter mixed with butter
• Lunch: tuna salad made with celery, mayonnaise, and whipped cream, served with lettuce
• Snack: keto yogurt (made with whipped cream), sour cream, strawberries, and artificial sweeteners
• Dinner: cheeseburger with lettuce and beans
• Snack: keto custard (whipped cream, eggs and vanilla flavor without sweetener)

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