Which dietary component is likely increased in a ketogenic diet?

In a ketogenic diet, the primary dietary component that is significantly increased is fats. This approach to eating is characterized by a high-fat, low-carbohydrate intake. The purpose of increasing fat consumption is to promote a state of ketosis, where the body becomes more efficient at burning fat for energy instead of relying on carbohydrates.

In this metabolic state, the liver converts fats into ketones, which serve as an alternative energy source. By emphasizing fats, individuals on a ketogenic diet limit carbohydrate intake to typically less than 50 grams per day, which lowers insulin levels and encourages the body to utilize fat stores.

While proteins can also be included in a ketogenic diet, they are generally consumed in moderation to prevent gluconeogenesis, which can interfere with ketosis. Carbohydrates, on the other hand, are intentionally restricted, and fiber, while important for digestive health, does not constitute a primary component of a ketogenic dietary pattern. Therefore, it is the increased intake of fats that is essential to achieving the goals of a ketogenic diet.