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Comment by calvano915 | Hacker News Reader

While keto seems promising in the short term, there isn't much data to validate whether it would be best for "most people". There is a definite concern long term with organ failure associated with ketoacidosis.

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Whereas, the "standard" USDA diet has created an obesity epidemic. That is also a definite concern. I would take the diet with insufficient evidence over the diet that has years of evidence in provably not working.

There are plenty of healthy diets recommended by leading nutritionists and doctors that aren't the food pyramid. And bringing this up as a straw-man doesn't seem to further the discussion.

There are lots of very healthy diets with much more long term data behind them like the Mediterranean diet.

The food pyramid is literally taught to every child in the united states, and, uh, we're kind of a fat nation. I think it's totally fair to call it out, it's not a straw-man, the government is literally forcing bad advice on people that's making them fat.

The food pyramid has been out of date since 2011

The people that followed its advice are still around, and you'll have to forgive me if I'm not going to trust newer USDA guidelines after what a spectacular (and politically motivated) fuck up that was.

We're a fat nation because people eat at restaurants too much where the portions are too large. Also, they have no self control.

How many obese people follow the guidelines?

I don't think you are right. The long term impact of ketogenic diets have been study, especially in kids that have been on them for 10+ years to control seizures. (https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&e...)

"Most people" don't have issues with seizures. The children studied were receiving medical nutrition therapy from experts, thus having several blood markers checked constantly and having precise diets formulated and adjusted to their individual and changing needs. Ketoacidosis may be a low likelihood, but there is definite concern. The article linked also mentions "However, side effects, such as slowed growth, kidney stones, and fractures, should be monitored closely." If we just start telling everyone to go keto, there is a high probability for harm (both known and unknown) in some percentage of the population.

Ketoacidosis and ketosis are two different things.

Ketoacidosis is a definite concern with ketosis. Perhaps "common effect" was a bit overstated :/

It's only common for diabetics or people with impaired kidneys. It's perfectly safe otherwise. Ten minutes of research would show that.

yea that's just not true.

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