Diet Fight of the Century: Keto vs. Blue Zone

By Dr. Krystosik

If you’re like most people, you’ve tried to lose weight, and in the process got drawn into an argument over which foods are best to accomplish this goal. Diet conflicts are common among friends, couples and families. Currently, one of the most hotly debated diet topics is the low carb vs. good carb issue. 

Right now, the Keto diet is a super-popular way to lose weight. This low- carb diet places specific guidelines on how much fat, protein and carbohydrates to eat each day. The general rules for the daily consumption of these macronutrients in the Keto diet is 75 percent fat, 20 percent protein, and 5 percent carbs. This drastically cuts the typical American’s carb intake to about 15 to 30 grams of carbohydrates per day. That represents a radical shift in carb intake for the average American. In the short term, for most people this type of diet will reduce body fat, lower cholesterol and blood pressure. However, there is a caveat. Global research studies on over 450,000 people have recently found Keto and other low-carb diets like the Paleo diet can lead to heart attacks, strokes and cancer. The researchers found although these diets show short term promise for weight loss, lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels, they can significantly decrease your lifespan. Just like all the other fad diets that have come and gone, the short-term benefits of the low-carb Keto diet are overshadowed by their long- term harm. 

On the other hand, the traditional diet of the BLUE ZONE regions has time, tested benefits. For thousands of years the inhabitants of the BLUE ZONES have enjoyed extraordinary health into a ripe old age without restricting carbohydrates. In stark contrast to the Keto diet, the inhabitants of the BLUE ZONES eat carbohydrates out the yin-yang. The daily macronutrient consumption of the Blue Zone diet is 65 percent carbohydrates, 20 percent fat, and 15 percent protein. As a result, the inhabitants of the BLUE ZONES have the world’s lowest incidence of obesity, heart disease and cancer and the most centenarians on the planet.

Take Home Message: People like to hear good things about their unhealthy habits like eating too much animal fat. It’s a better idea to eat substantial amounts of good carbs (whole grains, fruits and vegetables) to stay in the BLUE ZONE while enjoying a variety of healthy foods. 

Dr. Krystosik is a board-certified chiropractic physician with an undergraduate degree in clinical nutrition and is northeast Ohio’s leading expert in functional medicine. Dr. Krystosik is the author of 5 books on nutrition and natural medicine and is a nationally known speaker. For an appointment with Dr. Krystosik in Northfield, call 330-908-0094 or www.TheOtherSideofMedicine.com