More on the Ketogenic diet

WHY?

As we now know, Ketogenic diet is a diet high in fat and low in carbohydrate. Those suffering from PDCD cannot use glucose as a primary source of acetyl-CoA thus they have to use Fats as an alternate source of Acetyl Co-A instead. Which is why the Ketogenic diet is usually recommended for those suffering with PDCD to help keep them alive and keep the lactic acid level in their blood low.

What kind of foods should they consume? 

avocados, olive oils, walnuts, olives 

Sources of fats and oils: Although their diet is high in fats, they should try to consume the goof types of fats that promote good cholesterol. Examples of such foods are 

1. omega 3 and omega 6 that can be taken from food like walnuts, tuna, salmon, Shellfish or even supplements like krill oil that is high in omega 3 content   

Tuna and Salmon fish 

2. Saturated and monounsaturated fats from foods such as avocados, eggs, coconut oil, olive oil, walnuts

Although the diets is high in fats, they should always consume the corrects types of fats and not foods that is high in trans fats(a type of unsaturated fat) as this would significantly increase their risk of coronary heart disease.This is because trans fats raises bad cholesterol, which would defeat the purpose to trying to increase their life expectancy through the practice of the Ketogenic diet.  

Foods high in Trans fat include margarine, deep-fried food like donuts, fast foods like McDonald's hamburgers, processed food like microwavable popcorn 

Fibre is essential to helping maintain colon health while prevent constipations. Especially with a high fat diet, constipations is to be expected. Consuming vegetable such as broccoli, spinach are good sources of calcium, fibre, vitamin A and C etc The vitamins found in these vegetables can be an alternative source of fibre and vitamins to fruits that are sweet and contain glucose that cannot be cannot be broken down by those with PDCD

Good sources of calcium can be obtained from non dairy sources that isn't from the e,g cows milk that if often high in sugar or added sugar. While foods like yoghurt is high in calcium, they also often contain added sugar and also lactic acid. Because we want to minimise lactic acid levels in the blood of those with PDCD yoghurt should be avoided  food like  Examples of non dairy food high in calcium is kale, sesame seeds, firm tofu, almonds, bok choy, spinach are good sources of calcium without the added sugar that those with PDCD are unable to process.  

Although the ketogenic diet is often recommended by doctors as a form of treatment, there is very little to no control measures put in place for a standardised Ketogenic diet to treat PDCD due to the lack of research and the rare occurrence of this mitochondria metabolic disease.