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Home » Diet » Don’t believe people telling you a keto diet will prevent coronavirus – Metro.co.uk

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Its likely youll see a lot of misinformation when it comes to COVID-19, from conspiracy theorists blaming coronavirus on 5G to QAnon followers claiming you can cure yourself by drinking bleach.

Another one of these false statements sweeping the internet is the idea that you can prevent yourself from becoming infected with coronavirus by following a ketogenic diet.

From sites arguing (with very little basis) that the keto diet can help fight the flu and may be the key to combating the coronavirus to tweets suggesting much the same.

The general consensus among those promoting the ketogenic diet which is centred around low-carb, high-fat foods is that itll boost your immune system to the point where youll be immune to coronavirus (or not vulnerable if you do contract it)

Dr Grace Farhat, a lecturer in food science and nutrition at Liverpool Hope University, however, wants to debunk this myth.

Dr Farhat, registered with the UKAssociation for Nutrition, says a keto diet will not protect you.

She said: There are certain claims being made that adopting a keto diet could help to boost your immune system, and therefore stop you being infected with coronavirus.

But I can say with confidence that there is no scientific evidence to show that ketosis can help ward off viruses particularly coronavirus in humans.

As ever, you should always be discerning about any medical claims made on social media.

The keto diet has won armies of admirers in recent years, having been originally conceived in the 1920s as a means of controlling paediatric epilepsy.

It has celebrity followers, too, including actress Halle Berry, 53, and reality TV star Kourtney Kardashian, 40.

The idea behind the diet isthat by reducing carbohydrate intake and replacing it with fat, you put yourbody into a metabolic state called ketosis.

During ketosis, your bodyuses fat reserves, rather than carbs, as an energy source and which helps youto lose weight.

A study by scientists at Yale School of Medicine, USA, and released in November last year also suggested that a ketogenic diet might provide a degree of protection from the flu.

Lead author Akiko Iwasakifound ketosis in mice boosted certain immune cells and the production ofprotective mucus in the lungs.

And the study concluded thatthe method may, represent a viable avenue toward preventing or alleviatinginfluenza disease.

Its often this piece of research that keto fans are quoting when making claims about coronavirus protection.

But Grace says theres a big difference between mice and humans and shed be concerned about large numbers of people jumping on the keto bandwagon just because of this.

Ketosis produces acidic substances called ketones and too much in the bloodstream can actually damage the liver and kidneys.

Dr Farhat explains: This is a study done in mice and although it shows promising results, unless we prove it in humans, we cant make any bold claims about the way the diet might affect us.

Humans and mice are two different creatures. We have different immune systems.

Yes, there are some benefits of the ketogenic diet, particularly in terms of inducing satiety and helping to reduce weight, and it works well for some people.

In the short term, there shouldnt be any risks. But the problem is that its not a long term solution. It cannot be part of your long term eating habits.

A diet thats as close as possible to a normal diet one thats balanced and nutritious is much more recommended in terms of your overall health.

The keto diet could overload the kidneys due to an excess of protein, and theres also the risk of liver problems.

Whats also important is that a keto diet deprives the body of carbohydrate, which is needed for daily energy.

Do you have a story to share? Get in touch with us at MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk.

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Don't believe people telling you a keto diet will prevent coronavirus - Metro.co.uk

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Home » Diet » Don’t believe people telling you a keto diet will prevent coronavirus – Metro.co.uk