SINGAPORE — Lim Su Lin, chief dietitian at National University Hospital (NUH), recently developed a healthy version of the ketogenic diet for an ongoing clinical trial that aims to help patients lose weight without compromising their health.
Preliminary results show that those who follow his program closely can lose up to 25 kg in four months, as well as lower blood pressure and control diabetes.
Here is a brief overview of what constitutes a standard keto diet and the risks involved.
What is the keto diet?
This is a strict high-fat, moderate-protein, low-carb diet. By reducing carb intake, your body is tricked into entering a state known as ketosis where it breaks down stored fat instead of carbs for energy.
In other words, the body is “tricked” to burn fat for fuel, which aids in weight loss. This is an individualized process, however, which means that some people will need a more restrictive diet to induce ketosis.
Popular keto diets suggest an average of 70-80% fat, 5-10% carbs, and 10-20% protein. According to the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, that translates to about 165g of fat, 40g of carbs, and 75g of protein for a 2,000-calorie diet.
But Dr. Lim’s program keeps fat intake to less than 50% of total daily energy and also limits calories based on a person’s profile.
Why is the diet so popular?
On paper, the diet is all about burning fat by eating more of it, allowing people to eat high-fat foods they enjoy like red meats, fatty fish, cheese and nuts, while losing weight. .
It’s also generally considered a more sustainable weight loss plan because fats and proteins take longer to break down in the body, helping people stay full longer.
Is it safe?
There are risks to following the keto diet. Topping the list, it can lead to high consumption of unhealthy fats — by eating too many processed foods, for example — which can increase bad cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease.
According to the Gleneagles Hospital website, common side effects of ketosis include bad breath, constipation, indigestion, and low blood sugar. During the first few days of the diet, you may also experience nausea, insomnia, and a general feeling of being unwell.
People with underlying health conditions, especially those involving the liver or kidneys, should exercise caution before following such a diet as it may put additional strain on these organs.
What is the NUH lawsuit about?
The trial, which began in mid-2021, involves 80 participants who are staff at the National University Health System. They all had a body mass index above 27.5, which exceeds the healthy range of 18.5 to 24.9.
One group was assigned the healthy keto diet designed by Dr. Lim, while the other group was to follow a standard low-fat, calorie-restricted diet.
Over a period of six months, the healthy keto group lost an average of 7.4 kg per person, while the other group lost an average of 4.2 kg per person. Notably, those in the healthy keto group also saw lower cholesterol levels.