I have been a fitness enthusiast all my life, experimenting with all types of exercise and nutrition. I’ve tried low-fat, high-carb, high-protein diets, in a variety of combinations – I’ve even been a vegetarian for seven years and a vegan for two years. When I heard about keto – the ketogenic diet that activates ketosis, a metabolic state that burns fat instead of carbohydrates – I decided to give a lark a try. My motivation was not to lose weight but to discover the other benefits of the diet, especially increased energy and gray matter.

As business leaders, we are always looking for ways to optimize things. Basically, a keto diet is based on the same principle. It recycles your body to do more with less by using another energy source for both physical and mental health benefits. This food approach may sound radical, but it has been around for over a century.

Not a fad diet

In a recent medical examination Health Line article, one registered dietitian / nutritionist reveals his experience with keto as the first diet that enabled him to successfully lose weight and keep it off while feeling full and satisfied, describing “keto more of a way of life than a temporary or fad way to eat.

She cited a medical journal chronicle of the return of the regime since its introduction into the 1920s to help children with epilepsy: “As drugs became available and effectively treated seizures, the diet fell out of favor. Over the past decades, researchers and clinicians have learned that it can be helpful in children and adults with intractable epilepsy and a variety of other conditions.

Dr. Eva Catenaccio of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine summarizes her recent Pediatric neurology paper for the Epilepsy Foundation: “Young doctors like me are trained on how and why to administer the ketogenic diet. Patients and families share their knowledge and experience through online groups and foundations. Collaboration and mentoring are essential to ensure that the ketogenic diet doesn’t go away. She credits these efforts “for leading to discoveries about how the ketogenic diet can help people with various neurological conditions.”

Back to business

As the medical app suggests, the cognitive support of keto has been my biggest draw. A lot of people in Silicon Valley have started playing with it for the same reason – looking for ways to gain advantage. The concept of eating smarter to work smarter is aimed at an industry that thrives on innovation.

It was surprisingly easy for me to make the switch to keto. Most people will take a week or more to adjust, but my activities on the first day of the diet helped me recover faster: a simple morning fast, a bowl of burrito (with just meat, guacamole, sour cream and cheese) and 45 -mile bike ride. I was in ketosis that night. My wife noticed the difference within days – I literally became a sharper version of myself as a definition reappeared for the first time in years.

The positive effects also translated directly into the office. Here are the five business benefits I get from keto:

• Brain boost
  Without the brain fog that comes with low glucose, I can process extraordinary amounts of information in a short period of time. I’ve always had skills in this area, but I’m much better now. In a leadership role, I make hundreds of decisions, from routine details to important choices that can change the course of the business. Decision fatigue is a reality – it can be exhausting to always be the decision maker, which leads me to the next advantage.
• Endurance and endurance
  In any career, having the energy to get through the day is important. In many roles, especially at the leadership level, these days are 12, 14 and sometimes 16 hours long, with few breaks to refuel. On keto, I can handle it – I feel energized for longer with less food and can keep going without the lethargy that sets in when I primarily consume carbs. More stable blood sugar allows me to be a more balanced leader, providing extra stamina to do one of the most important parts of my job – listening.
• Patience and presence
  The only way to be a good leader is to be a good listener. Without the distraction of cravings or meal breaks to keep that next boost of energy going, I have a longer attention span with people. I’m not hungry and I’m not irritable, so I can be more patient and present in meetings. Increased focus allows me to listen to employees, so I make better decisions for the company and the people it serves.
• Less inflammation
  The keto diet supports my overall health. In ketosis, my body began to shed excess fat and water, in addition to reducing inflammation – something I didn’t realize until it was gone. In the photos of me before and after ketosis, there is a dramatic difference in the pockets of my face and my skin. Not only will you lose weight, but keto may help reduce internal inflammation that has been linked to conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease and cancer, according to Harvard – which can derail a promising career.
• Structure and discipline
  To maintain a healthy diet and handle a demanding job, you need the structure and discipline to prioritize and plan for everything, including exercise. It has never been more important than now, as our routines continue to be disrupted by the global pandemic. Even before COVID-19, I was putting workouts on my schedule, but I’m more specific on the schedule for my whole day now. For example, I block out time for emails, productivity, meetings, personal commitments, and “time for myself,” when I can relax and rejuvenate without doing anything.

Boost your performance

Even if keto isn’t right for your individual situation, your diet has a huge impact on your workout. Put garbage in it, and you will come out garbage. Improving your diet will help you get through the day at work, increase your performance, and fuel your success.

Written by Richard Jalichandra.

Follow the latest news live on CEOWORLD magazine and get updates from the US and around the world. The opinions expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily those of CEOWORLD magazine. Follow CEOWORLD magazine on Twitter and Facebook. For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected]