Keto diet has been hailed as an effective weight-loss diet, which works not only for weight loss but also for treating a variety of ailments. Last year, Keto was one of the most-Googled diet of the year. The reason is simple; the high-fat, moderate-protein and low-carb diet produces tangible results, which probably explains all the curiosity around it.

But evidence suggests that it may not be for everyone! That particularly true of people who have underlying health conditions. Chief dietician Rinki Kumari from Fortis, Bangalore names 6 people for whom the keto diet may not be right.

1 People recovering from bariatric surgery or a gastric bypass

Bariatric surgery and gastric bypass are both weight-loss procedures that involves altering the digestive system. Going on a keto diet after these drastic surgeries can be risky business. Digesting fat becomes difficult after undergoing a bariatric surgery. So for a person fresh out of a gastric surgery, a fat-intensive keto diet will be a big mistake.

2 People with kidney stones

There’s an increased risk of kidney stones on a keto diet. A 2002 study published in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases found a connection between ketogenic diet and kidney stones. The protein-rich diet causes the body’s pH to become more acidic in nature, an environment perfect for the formation of kidney stones. A high protein diet is also dehydrating in nature, which contributes towards kidney stones.

3 Growing children

Parents should be wary of putting their children on a ketogenic diet because protein requirements for kids vary with their age. There was a case where a 9-year-old girl developed acute pacreatitis after going on a keto diet.

4 People with pancreatic problems

People with a compromised pancreatic system shouldn’t try the ketogenic diet. A high fat and high protein diet, like the keto diet, requires pancreatic enzymes for digestion, putting a lot of stress on the pancreas.

5 People with metabolic disorder

People suffering from metabolic disorders that interferes with fat metabolism like Gaucher disease and Tay-Sachs disease shouldn’t try the keto diet.

6 Pregnant or breastfeeding women

Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not try the ketogenic diet. Pregnancy is a time when women should have a balanced diet, replete in all food groups for the proper development of the foetus. A study conducted in 2013 revealed that being on the keto diet during pregnancy could interfere with the foetal development, causing organ dysfunction in later life of the child.

Proponents of keto may project it as an effective, safe-for-all diet with little or no side effects. While it does have a lot of benefits, it's important to also know about its drawbacks. So consult your doctor before you attempt the ketogenic diet.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 13, 2018 04:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).