​Did you know that the DNA in our cells is coded with a life span? At the ends of each chromosome lies something called a ‘telomere’. Telomeres protect chromosomes and prevent them from fusing into rings or binding with other DNA. Think of telomeres as being kind of like the little hard plastic ends on the ends of shoelaces. They keep the laces from coming undone. Telomeres do a similar thing with your chromosomes.  Check out this graphic below:

When a cell divides, as they do thousands of times every day, strands of DNA get snipped to in the process. The places that are snipped are the telomeres. These telomeres get shorter and shorter with each cell division. Eventually the telomere gets too short, and the DNA becomes damaged, putting a halt to the cell’s ability to reproduce. This is when the cell dies, and where aging occurs. 
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Although we all want to look younger, aging is not just about how we appear on the outside. It affects our WHOLE body, inside and out.  Every single cell. Many of the signs of aging are actually the beginnings of chronic disease. The wrinkles, weight gain, memory loss, loss of physical strength, loss of sex drive, inability to sleep, fatigue, and bone loss are what many have come to accept as part of the normal progression of aging.  
 
Diseases like heart disease, osteoporosis, cancer, arthritis, and diabetes are so commonplace in our society now that many people just accept this as a part of growing old. But adopting a healthier lifestyle and a Ketogenic Diet can drastically improve how you look and feel, and determine the quality of life you will have as you get older.
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By now, you know that the Ketogenic diet consists of eating a high ratio of healthy fats, particularly Omega-3's found in fatty fish and other seafood (especially cold-water fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, herring, and sardines), nuts and seeds (such as flaxseed, chia seeds, and walnuts), cruciferous vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, and avocados.   Research studies have shown that Omega-3 fatty acids, which are abundant in the the Ketogenic diet can actually slow down or even "regrow" our telomeres!  This means that it is totally possible to reverse the aging process!

In fact, one study showed that those that had the highest levels of Omega-3 fatty acids had the slowest rates of telomere shortening (aging slower), while those with the lowest levels of of this Omega-3's and high amounts of Omega-6 fatty acid had fastest rate of telomere shortening (aging faster). 

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The typical Western diet is aging us.  ​It is full of unhealthy fats, sugars, carbs, and chemicals.  The Ketogenic diet is typical of the way our primal ancestors ate -  a diet much higher in omega 3 fats from wild caught fish, grass-fed meat and dairy, and wild game. The omega 6 to omega 3 ratio many years ago was around 2 to 1. Today a typical modern diet in America or other westernized countries has about 15-20 times more omega 6 fats than omega 3 fats. 
 

Omega-6 fatty acids come primarily from grains and processed vegetable oils. Commercially raised meat, chicken and farmed fish are raised on grain, making these foods high in omega 6 fatty acids as well. On the other hand, Ketogenic foods such as grass-fed, pasture-raised, and wild caught meats and fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids. 
 
Omega 6 fats are found in potato chips, corn chips, French fries, bottled salad dressings, corn oil, soy oil, and other vegetable oils. Almost everything you purchase pre-made from the grocery store has this type of fat in it. 

This unnatural balance of essential fatty acids causes excess inflammation and negative health effects. Studies show that eating excessive amounts of omega-6 fats appears to be one of the fastest ways to accelerate aging, so by adopting the Ketogenic Diet, you'll be able to reverse wrinkles and saggy skin, increase energy levels, improve mental clarity, reduce the risk of age-related diseases, and have a healthier body overall.
 

With the steady and consistent rise of disease and obesity in North America, and around the world, more and more people are experiencing illness in many forms.  While other factors are at play such as stress, environmental toxins, and genetics, nutrition is really the root of this global epidemic.  Poor eating habits lay the foundation for widespread obesity and metabolic dysfunction which commonly leads to health issues like heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, stroke, high cholesterol, cancer, digestive problems, arterial sclerosis, and even neurological diseases such as Alzeheimer's and Parkinson's.  But it doesn't have to be this way.

Research studies have shown that a high carbohydrate diet is associated with increased insulin levels, which triggers the body to store fat around organs, tissues, and arteries, and can lead to many of the chronic diseases we see today,  High insulin levels also create unstable blood sugars, mood swings, brain fog, hunger, carb/sugar cravings, fatigue, and illness.

The result?  Fat, sick people. 

​Other benefits of the Ketogenic diet are:

• reduces bloating, digestive disturbances, helps repair gut lining
• boosts memory, cognition, (human brain is 60% fat + ketones cross blood/brain barrier)
• improves cell integrity/fluidity
• cleaner source of fuel for the body than glucose – fewer free radicals
• anti-aging: improves hair, skin, nails, lessens the appearance of wrinkles (whoo hoo!!)
• combats chronic & age-related diseases (Parkinson’s, Alzheimer's, Cancer)
• lower blood pressure     
• lower triglycerides 
• fewer migraines 
• improved mental clarity
• better cholesterol profiles 
• hormone regulation 
•  improved mood 
• seizure control
• reduced appetite
• reduced inflammation

For many years we’ve been told that fats are bad and we should follow a low-fat diet to lose weight and be healthier, but research has discovered that this is not the case. While going Keto will take some getting used to, the benefits will be well worth the effort. Imagine eating delicious foods, full-fat desserts, pizza, nachos, and more!  It seems to good to be true - but it works... I promise! You just have to do it right.

The basic premise of the Keto diet is to drastically cut your carb intake while drastically increasing your fats.  It's all about macronutrient ratios:  75% of your calories should come from healthy fats, 20% of your calories should come from healthy proteins, and only 5% of your net carbs should come from healthy carb choices such as above-ground vegetables & leafy greens and Keto-approved fruit. ​Keto-friendly desserts, breads, and treats are allowed in moderation.​

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​The biggest change to your eating habits when following a Keto diet may be reducing the intake of carbs and increasing the intake of fats. However, the biggest challenge about going Keto is to change the way you think about weight loss.