Keto Diet May Help Restore Irregular Periods For Some Patients

Patients often ask, is the keto diet safe when trying to conceive, or can keto boost my fertility? The keto diet has shown many benefits, from helping with weight loss to eliminating toxins, and for those seeking infertility treatment, a keto diet may help restore irregular periods for some patients.

Not All Fat Makes You Fat

Keto has taken the storm, and certainly, there are “bad” keto diets (eggs and bacon 24/7) and wiser use of ketosis, providing a blend of healthy but high-fat choices with pious vegetable choices. High fat diet makes fat the primary fuel source and not the severely restricted carbohydrates (sugar). Proteins, in mild proportion to the fat percentage present, provide the amino acid building blocks to maintain lean muscle.

Finding a Balanced Keto Diet

Balanced keto diets involve 70% of caloric intake rendered from fat, 20-25% from proteins, and the remaining from carbohydrates. Brain fuel is glucose. However, this glucose need not come from carbohydrates. In fact, the protein component (amino acids), when broken down, provides the (re) building blocks. The liver becomes the clearinghouse and fabrication house for building the glucose to be later used by the brain and other organs. This process is called gluconeogenesis.

The presence of blood ketones provides the constancy of energy sources. “Ketosis” is a very different bird from “ketoacidosis.”  Ketoacidosis is an unstable state and occurs when the pancreas is unable to provide adequate insulin (which shuttles glucose into the cells). It is in response to elevated ketones in the blood and is seen in people with Type I diabetes and later-stage Type II diabetes. Essentially, the pancreas remains in overdrive and cannot meet the needs of the body. Blood ketone levels reach an order higher than they do in the setting of a functional pancreas and traditional ketosis.

Getting Your Period Back

The biochemistry of ketosis is what makes the ketogenic diet a powerful tool in the fight against inflammation. Inflammation drives cardiovascular disease, menstrual cycle irregularity, and obesity. For women who have a higher BMI – body fat percentage – starting a keto diet may help restore irregular periods for some patients. It is important to determine if the patient is an appropriate candidate for the diet to experience the full benefits for your fertility. Finding the right balance is essential to maintain overall health and well-being. The optimal dietary plan is the one that is best for the patient. Sometimes, we must decipher the body’s ability to regulate glucose and nutrition and then develop strategies best suited.

It is important to always consult with your physician or reproductive endocrinologist before starting a keto diet or any changes to your nutrition.

Contact Us

We are here to answer your questions on how a keto diet may help restore irregular periods for some patients to what might be impacting your ability to get pregnant. Whatever your situation is, we are here to help you!

If you have more questions, please contact us to schedule your initial consultation.