The truth about ketosis, according to an expert: It reduces inflammation and balances the body.

Inflammation and chronic diseases are multiplying , largely accelerated by today's lifestyle and diet. Although it may seem paradoxical, in a society dominated by information overload, it seems that important messages are not getting through to the population. One of them, paying attention to chronic inflammation in the body , which opens the door to countless serious diseases, remains a major unsolved problem.

On the other hand, for decades we've been told messages about the importance of nutrition and, within that, the dangers of not consuming carbohydrates for the body (in fact, they've always been the base of the pyramid). According to traditional precepts, the more carbohydrates we consume, the more energy our body has, and the lower the chances of developing ketosis, which was considered dangerous . But what if an expert turned these beliefs on their head, associating ketosis with less inflammation and, therefore, health?

The false myth that you have to prevent your body from going into ketosis

Laura Salud, nutritionist, pharmacist, and CEO of Salmo Labs, presents a new take on the traditional nutritional pyramid, free from carbohydrate overload and geared toward ketosis , a physiological state that the human body naturally achieves and that, according to scientific evidence, may be key to reducing inflammation and preventing chronic diseases. So, isn't ketosis bad?

First, it's important to understand what ketosis is. "For a long time, the word ketosis sounded like something dangerous, almost as if the body was 'forced.' But in reality, ketosis is a completely natural metabolic state— it's how our ancestors obtained energy when food wasn't constantly available."

So, instead of relying on the sugar that carbohydrates are transformed into, "the body uses fat as its primary source and produces ketones, which are a very efficient and clean fuel for the brain and muscles . We're not talking about something extreme, but rather about recovering an ability that we all have innately. Staying in ketosis is not only safe for many people, but can also bring great benefits: more stable energy, better concentration, and a reduction in overall inflammation in the body ," explains the nutritionist.

"The deeper the ketosis, the less inflammation."

As Salud begins by explaining, "we are born in ketosis. It's the physiological state in which our body naturally balances itself. In ketosis, chronic inflammation, the great 'cooking pot' that fuels modern diseases, is reduced to minimal levels, staving off pathologies and promoting optimal, lasting health ."

And how does it do this? "We could say that the deeper the ketosis, the lower the inflammation in the body. When we use fat as our primary energy source (instead of carbohydrates), the body produces fewer free radicals and less inflammatory waste than when it relies on sugar. Furthermore, ketones have a direct anti-inflammatory effect: they help cells function more efficiently and reduce oxidative stress ."

When we're in ketosis, "many people notice improvements in their skin, digestion, or mental clarity. It's a profound change; some people use it to lose weight, although its benefits are much more interesting: ketosis is like turning off that 'silent inflammation' that's behind most of today's health problems and diseases."

"Metabolism is not designed to eat every three hours, nor to live off glucose constantly."

What Laura Salud proposes seems simple to understand: adapting our diet to the body's actual functioning, and not the other way around . "I mean, for years we've tried to force the body to adapt to what we eat, instead of eating in a way that respects how our body truly works. We've followed fixed schedules, counted calories, eaten every three hours, and filled our plates with light foods, thinking that this was taking care of our health. But the body doesn't understand trends or marketing; it understands biology."

Adapting your diet to your body's actual functioning "means giving it back what it needs (real food, good fats, digestive rest, metabolic flexibility) so it can regulate itself again. When we do this, the body responds immediately: energy, concentration, weight, and even mood improve," he says.

In conclusion, the nutritionist adds that "our metabolism isn't designed to eat every three hours or to live off glucose constantly, but rather to alternate between using fat and sugar depending on the circumstances. When the body has the ability to use glucose or fat depending on its needs, it is considered to have good metabolic flexibility. And this flexibility is key to enjoying good health and longevity. When we understand and respect that biology, everything falls into place: we regain energy, mental clarity , and, above all, metabolic health."