KETO DIET WON’T BEAT CORONAVIRUS

As the coronavirus outbreak continues, everyone’s number one priority is their wellbeing. In an effort to protect their health and fight COVID-19, individuals are looking for ways to boost their immunity. And eating healthy is one strategy.

But with so much misleading information floating around the web, it’s hard to differentiate between reliable facts and deceptive myths.

Currently, one diet that is being touted on social media as a possible saviour from coronavirus is the ketogenic diet.

American doctor Adam Nally, who’s a known advocate of the ‘keto/carnivore lifestyle’, hasn’t been shy in sharing his message of ‘protection’ on social media. Similarly, Perfect Keto recently shared an article about how the trending diet boosts immunity and reduces flu-like symptoms, which could be misleading to those worried about contracting coronavirus.

Despite social media claims that keto may help individuals to resist infection from COVID-19, health experts are warning people that the infamous diet will not protect anyone against the deadly coronavirus disease.

Dr Grace Farhat, a lecturer in food science and nutrition at Liverpool Hope University in the UK told express.co.uk, “There is no scientific evidence ... ketosis can help ward off viruses, particularly coronavirus in humans.”

The restrictive nature of the diet may not be ideal in the current state of the pandemic either. “What’s important is that a keto diet deprives the body of carbohydrates, which is needed for daily energy,” Dr Farhat said.

During ketosis, ketones are produced. These ketones are acidic substances and if there’s too much in the bloodstream, they may damage the liver and kidneys.

“The keto diet can overload the kidneys due to an excess of protein and there’s also the risk of liver problems,” explained Dr Farhat.