Potential benefits and risks

Potential benefits of the keto diet include:

a) Improving weight control:

One of the main arguments in favor of the ketogenic diet is its potential to improve weight control. This aspect of the diet seems crucial for most people who struggle with obesity. By drastically reducing carbohydrates, our body is forced to burn stored fat stores. For hypothyroid patients, or patients with hypothyroidism, who, quite often struggle with excess weight, the keto diet can be an effective way to get rid of excess body fat relatively quickly.

b) Stabilization of blood glucose (sugar) levels:

A ketogenic diet can help maintain stable blood glucose levels by limiting carbohydrate intake, which often leads to glucose spikes. For patients with Hashimoto's disease, maintaining hormonal balance is crucial, and the keto diet can help achieve this goal.

(c) Improved well-being - increased energy:

Introducing a ketogenic diet can improve the energy levels experienced by our patients and further reduce feelings of fatigue. For hypothyroid patients who often struggle with chronic fatigue, this can be a significant improvement.

Potential Threats

Risk of ketosis:

One of the main risks associated with the ketogenic diet is the risk of ketosis. Ketosis is a condition in which the body switches to burning fat as the main source of energy and produces ketones. When there are excessive levels of ketones in the blood, this can lead to ketosis, which can pose a real threat to our health.

Being on a ketogenic diet requires strict control of carbohydrate and fat intake. For some patients, this can be difficult to achieve and maintain over time, so it is worth working with your doctor and nutritionist, and you should always seek the advice of a specialist doctor and a good nutritionist, or an experienced dietician, before implementing the diet. I would like to emphasize that an improperly balanced diet can lead to metabolic disorders.

Some people on a keto diet may experience side effects during the introduction of this type of diet. These include symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and constipation. For patients with hypothyroidism, these symptoms can be further aggravating.

Research - on the impact of ketogenic Hashimoto's disease

Research on the effects of the ketogenic diet on Hashimoto's disease and hypothyroidism is still in development, and we must wait patiently for the final results. There are many lines of research that may provide more precise answers to questions about the benefits and risks of this diet. Clinical trials involving patients with Hashimoto's disease and hypothyroidism are currently underway. These studies may provide valuable data on the effects of the ketogenic diet on thyroid health and hormonal parameters.

In turn, scientific research into the mechanisms of action of the ketogenic diet at the cellular and molecular levels may help us understand why this diet may be beneficial or-in the case of some hypothyroid patients-even harmful.

When introducing a ketogenic diet, it is worth remembering that every body responds differently to a ketogenic diet, This is due to, among other things, genetic differences, the gut microbiome and other factors. Research into individual responses to the keto diet can help identify patients who have certainly benefited metabolically from the diet, among other things, and those for whom it is inappropriate.

Educating patients and physicians about the impact of diet on Hashimoto's disease is a key element so that we can safely and, above all, effectively introduce the keto- diet.

It is important to keep in mind that patients in whom we plan to introduce a ketogenic diet should be informed about the potential benefits and risks of a ketogenic diet, and doctors should have sufficient knowledge in this area to be able to effectively advise their patients.

The ketogenic diet is still a topic of discussion in the context of Hashimoto's disease and hypothyroidism. We already know that there are potential benefits associated with this diet, such as improved weight control, stabilization of blood sugar levels and an increase in patients' perceived energy levels. However, we must remember that there are also risks, such as the risk of ketosis, the need for strict dietary control and other potential side effects, sometimes individually variable.

For the safety of people with hypothyroidism, the introduction of a ketogenic diet in a person with Hashimoto's disease should always be preceded by consultation with an experienced endocrinologist and nutritionist. Individualization of therapy is key here, and patients should be monitored while following this diet. As I mentioned earlier, research on the effects of the ketogenic diet on Hashimoto's disease is still ongoing, so we can probably soon expect more precise answers to questions about this diet and its effects on people with hypothyroidism in the course of Hashimoto's disease.

It is worth emphasizing that the decision to use a ketogenic diet should be made carefully in the context of the entire health of the person being cared for Each of our patients is different, so the decision should be preceded by a thorough assessment of the risks and benefits to the person with hypothyroidism. In order to achieve full therapeutic success, it is crucial to work with a doctor, an experienced specialist who keeps his knowledge up-to-date, and a good nutritionist who, after obtaining the necessary information from the doctor, will arrange a well-chosen - personalized diet for us.

Dr. nmed. Marek Derkacz,MBA