Keto diet can be dangerous, cardiologist warns

MANILA, Philippines — It can give you a body to die for, but heart experts cautioned the public against possible health risks in going on the “keto” diet.

Dr. Gino Quizon, an interventional cardiologist at Medical Center Manila, said indulging in high-fat nourishment like the ketogenic diet can be hazardous to health if done for a long period.

“Most studies done about keto diet are only short term. It is good for weight loss, but having a high-fat diet for the long term can be dangerous,” Quizon pointed out.

The high-fat, adequate-protein, low-carbohydrate diet is very popular nowadays and has reportedly helped many people worldwide to easily reduce their weight.

But Quizon said consumption of high-fat food for a long period can lead to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and other ailments.

An unhealthy diet, Quizon said, is behind the continuing rise in CVD cases worldwide.

For the last five years, Quizon said, he has observed a rising trend of CVD cases even those below 30 years of age.

From zero, Quizon said, he has performed angioplasty on about two to three young patients annually for the past few years.

“Heart disease is still a lifestyle disease that is caused by bad dietary and lifestyle choices,” Quizon said.

Excessive consumption of fat, simple sugar and salt as well as excessive smoking and stressful environment contribute to heart disease.

Not getting enough physical exercise or living a sedentary lifestyle also leads to heart ailment.

However, eradicating fat from the diet will not necessarily prevent heart disease as data have shown that CVDs continue to go up as more people become obese and unhealthy.

Citing World Health Organization (WHO) data, Quizon said, ischemic or coronary heart diseases and stroke remain as the top two leading causes of death worldwide for the past 15 years.

“Despite removing fat from the diet, the high trend continues. It has been proven that combination of excessive saturated fats and excessive simple carbohydrates is what leads to heart diseases,” Quizon disclosed.

Quizon said an ideal diet must be saturated fats and simple carbohydrates that “are moderated, not removed.”

“Moderation is the key. The 2016 European Guidelines on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention recommends a low saturated fat diet with focus on wholegrain products, fish, fruits and vegetables,” he said.

Quizon advised the public to adopt a healthy lifestyle now and not wait to suffer from heart ailments before doing so.

At this time, Quizon said, there are new treatments available for heart patients that are minimally invasive, but still effective as alternatives to major surgery.