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A leading doctor has branded ketogenic diets the ‘most dangerous lifestyle fad of the 21st century’.
Dr. Gemma Newman is a GP and Senior Partner at a family medical practice, as well as a leading public health writer and broadcaster, being featured on Sky News, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and in multiple magazines.
Speaking exclusively to Plant Based News, Dr. Newman discussed the ketogenic diet, which sees followers eat large amounts of fat and very few carbs, in a bid to get the body into ketosis (a state where it is burning fat for energy when it doesn’t have enough carbohydrates to burn). Fans say the diet can lead to quick weight loss, increased energy levels, better mental clarity, and improvements in acne.
Dr. Gemma Newton speaks exclusively to PBN’s Klaus Mitchell. Subscribe to PBN’s YouTube Channel
‘Dangerous fad’
“It’s my opinion that the ketogenic diet is the most dangerous lifestyle fad of the 21st century,” said Dr. Newman, who follows a plant-based diet. “And this is why many credible groups including the Physicians Committee, advise people to avoid this kind of eating at all costs.
“Not only does it have short-term symptoms such as ‘keto flu’ which includes nausea and vomiting, constipation, irritability, and lack of libido, but long-term there are countless risks including dehydration, kidney stones, cardiac arrhythmias.
“I even read five case reports of deaths in children who were having to follow a ketogenic diet for other reasons. Please avoid ketogenic diets, for your own health, for the future.”
Dr. Kim Williams speaks exclusively to PBN’s Klaus Mitchell. Subscribe to PBN’s YouTube Channel
‘No one should do it’
Dr. Newman’s comments follow a similar message from Dr. Kim Williams – a leading cardiologist and past President of the American College of Cardiology.
“Unfortunately, the science of [keto] is wrong,” Dr. Williams said in an exclusive video for Plant Based News. “If all you wanted was short-term weight loss – and short-term could be a year or two – if that’s all you’re looking for, great.”
Dr. WIlliams agreed that there are other markers that a keto diet can improve in the short term, then added: “But are any of them independent of the weight loss? Probably not. If you lose a lot of belly fat, your insulin sensitivity improves, your blood sugar improves.”
