Jameela Jamil accessed Instagram to share her ideas about the ketogenic diet.
On Friday, the actress delivered a message to “celebrities and influencers” who promote the ketone diet. “Please stop pushing the keto diet for people who don’t need to follow the diet for medical reasons,” she wrote, making sure to note that she was not targeting her message to “any specific Thinfluencer.”
“This can create all kinds of disorders for people’s bodies, (including their VITAL ORGANS), and they don’t have the same access to health care as you do.” Jamil continued to criticize the “before and after” photos, often shared by promoting diets like keto, calling them “stupid” lighting and wardrobe tricks.
“Learn from someone who did all the SUN diets,” she said. “Stay away from fads and if you really want to change your body for anything, please do it for the right reasons, in the right way, SLOWLY.”
In his post, Jamil also shared responses from his followers, who revealed their own experiences and concerns about the diet. “I had to remove my gallbladder,” wrote one commentator about the repercussions they faced with the keto. “Keto will destroy your liver too.”
“My father had a keto and ended up causing pancreatitis and had to have surgery,” wrote another.
“I would have to agree with [Jamil], ”Says Barbara Ruhs, MS, RD and director of marketing and owner of MarketRD.com. “Keto is a medically prescribed diet for autism and other supervised (medically) problems. It is easy for people to fall prey to diets that have become very popular. “
The ketone diet has been in practice for almost a century, with a history of use to control seizures in children with epilepsy. The diet is defined as being low in carbohydrates and rich in proteins and fats – great ketone foods include fatty fish, eggs, meat and dairy products. The dramatic reduction in carbohydrates required by the diet releases ketones into the bloodstream and causes the body to enter a metabolic state called ketosis, during which stored fat is more easily burned. Along the way, this lowers the body’s blood sugar and insulin levels.
The diet has become controversial in recent years as it has grown in popularity: the strength of the diet is that fat can be burned quickly, resulting in weight loss; the problem is that it is difficult to maintain, and many think it deprives the body of essential nutrients (few fruits and vegetables are involved in the keto).
“The pitfalls that I see most often with Keto diets: no fruit, avoid starchy vegetables, legumes (beans) and without whole grains,” notes Ruhs. “You will lose vital nutrients and potentially harm your health.”
Eating the ketone diet can also lead to what is known as “ketone flu”, whose symptoms can include fatigue, headaches, dizziness, nausea and constipation.
As for the red flags raised by Jamil’s followers, there is evidence that the ketone diet can harm the pancreas, liver and other organs. With so much fat to metabolize, the diet can worsen preexisting liver disease. Studies have also shown that pancreatitis can occur, again due to increased fat intake.
This post is not the first time Jamil has used his platform to speak the truth about diet culture. In the past, she criticized the Kardashians for promoting unhealthy diet teas, insisted that their promotional photos not be touched up, and was candid about her fight against an eating disorder. Jamil also founded the I Weigh community, which helped to change policies around diet and detox products that are shown to minors through Instagram and Facebook.
As for the keto, Jami noted that it can be useful for certain medical conditions. “I heard that it can be extraordinary for certain serious health problems,” noted Jamil. “But if not … you’re risking unnecessarily creating health problems because our world is not only obsessed with losing weight, but also how quickly we can do it. This is not sustainable and is designed to fail, so you stay on the carousel of the diet forever. Sending love to you and your organs! “
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