Extended use of keto diet

DEAR DR. ROACH: What is your opinion of the keto diet? I have been doing it for a few weeks now and lost a few pounds, but it goes against everything I usually eat — high quantities of red meat, lots of full-fat foods and dairy.

Since I am losing some weight and actually feel better and am sleeping better, I like the short-term results, but I cannot see this as a longterm way of life.

I am concerned about all that fat going into my body and clogging my arteries. I exercise every day with Zumba, jogging, etc.

ANSWER: The ketosis diet favors very large amounts of fat

It is highly restrictive. Further, many of the foods that you can’t eat on this diet are those that have been shown to be associated with improved health, especially vegetables and most fruits. Most people will have a substantial increase in cholesterol levels (by as much as 50 per cent).

The red meat and saturated fat probably present an independent risk of heart disease and cancer (even apart from its effect on cholesterol), although this remains somewhat controversial.

I do not recommend the keto diet for long-term use, at all. It may have some benefit in helping with short-term weight loss, but I think there are much healthier alternatives for most people.

Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu