There is a lot of curiosity that surrounds the keto diet. Any diet that insists you eat fat to lose weight is truly good in our books. In case you are new to the term, ketogenic or keto diet is a low-carb diet which focuses on high fat and moderate protein intake. Human body prioritises carbs over fats for energy. By lowering the carbohydrate intake, it makes your body go into a state of ketogenesis, forcing it to burn fats instead of carbs.

Fans of keto hail it as the greatest weight loss diet because it shows results and ensures satiety. While those claims may be true, keto fans may be overselling its benefits, positioning it as a safe-for-all diet. In fact, fans of the diet may not tell you that some people may not be suited for the keto diet at all. That apart, here are 7 health hazards of the keto diet you didn’t know about.

1. Keto can cause gastric problems

Most people who start the keto diet immediately start feeling uneasy in their stomach. In a phenomenon known as keto flu, people newly introduced to the diet experience a period of loose bowel movements, nausea and constipation when they body starts adapting to ketosis. It will take around 1-2 weeks for your body to completely go into the ketosis state. Although proponents of keto may say that it is a temporary inconvenience, it can be very distressing for first timers.

2. Keto may not be right for children

Adults who go on the keto diet may also want their children to follow it. But evidence suggests that it may not be a very smart thing to do. A comprehensive study published in the journal Epilepsy Currents in 2005 revealed that children on the keto diet faced immediate complications such as elevated triglyceride levels, high cholesterol, acute pancreatitis and excessive levels of acid in their body. Late-onset complications included kidney stones, low bone density, cardiomyopathy, iron-deficiency anemia, etc. The paper concludes by saying that most of these complications are temporary but keto diet is complicated. And for children, some of these complications may also be life-threatening. It could even affect their growth.

3. Keto can affect the kidneys

Long-term use of the keto diet with high fat may promote tumour growth in the kidneys state a 2016 study published in Scientific Report. Another 2003 article in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition that a low carb diet such as keto may be bad news for kidney health and can cause damage to the organ. Keto diet may also be linked to kidney stones say a 2002 study. The acidosis and dehydration caused by a protein-intensive diet create a perfect environment in the body for the formation of kidney stones.

4. Keto can increase type 2 diabetes risk

There is some conflict about the efficiency of keto with respect to type 2 diabetes. While some studies say that there the disease can be tackled with a keto diet, others –notably two studies published in 2014 – say otherwise. One published in Cell Metabolism say that a high protein keto diet can increase your risk for diabetes. The other says that long-term keto diet can cause symptoms similar to metabolic syndrome and increased risk of type 2 diabetes in humans.

5. Low-carb diets like keto increase mortality risk

This is the one side effect probably no one told you about. A PLoS study revealed that a low carb diet like keto was associated with a significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality. Observation of long-term adherence to low carb diet also proved that it offered no cardiovascular protection.

6. Keto can cause nutrient deficiency

Any diet of a restrictive nature is bound to cause nutritional deficiencies and that includes the ketogenic diet. Keto is known to be deficient in most vitamins, minerals and trace minerals known for the maintenance of good health. People on keto are seen to be deficient in magnesium, potassium and sodium. Study also suggests that keto followers could lack in selenium.

7. Keto can cause cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscles where they get hardened and rigid, is believed to be a side effect of the keto diet. A 2003 study showed that the nutrient content in keto may not meet the daily Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for selenium, a mineral important for the maintenance of heart health and blood flow. According to the study, 20 percent of the subjects had selenium deficiency and one of them eventually developed cardiomyopathy.

Keto is probably the best diet for combating obesity and has benefits beyond just weight loss. It's effects against epilepsy are well documented and it's one of the few diets that can keep you satiated. But any diet which is restrictive in nature is bound to have a few drawbacks. It's better to speak to your doctor before you try out the diet. Closely monitor your blood pressure and blood sugar levels while you are on the diet.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 16, 2018 09:34 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).