Thread by @fleroy1974

JUST PUBLISHED
@CleoProtogerou, @fleroy1974 & @martinhagger
Beliefs & Experiences of Individuals Following a #ZeroCarb Diet:

"driven by health concerns & benefits. Participants expressed a strong social identity"
@MDPIOpenAccess #carnivorediet #ketodiet
mdpi.com/2076-328X/11/1…

"All participants reported improved wellbeing & quality of life since taking up the diet. These improvements are related to health; interpersonal relationships; learning & growth; simplicity & independence".

"Physical health benefits related to the digestive system (e.g., reduction or elimination of irritable bowel syndrome symptoms); integumentary system (e.g., smoother skin, stronger hair, and nails); and musculoskeletal system (e.g., reduced joint and back pain)"

"Participants experienced an improvement in metabolic health (e.g., blood pressure, glucose, insulin, and thyroid function, as evidenced by biomarkers) and sex drive"

"Psychological health benefits included improvements in mood and cognition, including a reduction in anxiety, depression, and tiredness; increased happiness and joy, confidence, self-esteem, mental clarity, memory function, sleep quality, and productivity at work."

"Participants also reported the experience of the pleasure arising from eating the foods [&] that the diet facilitated participation in health-promoting behaviors, specifically exercise and fasting. During exercise, participants felt stronger and more energized"

"A dimension of the diet contributing to participants’ quality of life was the simplicity of the diet. Participants explained that the diet saved them time in shopping and cooking the foods, but also money [..] The diet seemed to attract independent people"

"Participants understood that their chosen eating style was somewhat socially unacceptable & isolating & tended to elicit stigmatizing responses from others [..] These “others” also included healthcare professionals"

"Finally, participants experienced internal challenges relating to the diet [..] often described as “the adaptation phase” or “keto flu”. Similar symptoms were also experienced when deviating from the diet once past the adaptation phase. This discomfort was typically transient"