Informative Speech Outline

Specific Goal: My audience will learn about Ketosis and ketogenic diets.
Application: The audience could use this information in determining whether engaging in a ketogenic diet is
a health change they would like to make.
Ethos: Primary I have been in and out of Ketosis for all of my life and am a health sciences major.
Secondary Ethos: I will cite 6 references out loud in my speech.
Pathos: My experience with ketosis and the risk of ketoacidosis will persuade my audience to carefully
contemplate their lifestyle decisions.
Logos: I will use medical data on the formation of ketones in the body and medical research for the pros and
cons of a ketogenic diet.
Audience Assessment: My audience may know the gist of a ketogenic diet but does not understand the
scientific explanation behind it or health factors to consider.
Adaptation to Audience I will provide background information on ketosis in general terms, how to determine
if you are in good health to start a ketogenic diet and basic guidelines that can be suited to dietary preference
or restrictions.
Pattern of Organization: Chronological in the introduction and topical in the body.
Introduction
I.

Hook: When I was 3 years old I was hospitalized for Type 1 Diabetes. (Very short story)
A. The only link doctors had to diabetes was the presence of ketonuria
B. I had gone into ketosis by starvation not diabetes.

II.

Thesis: Although my experience with ketosis was through sickness, very-low-carb or ketogenic
diets are very popular in the dieting industry.
Preview
A. First, I will explain what ketosis is.
B. Next, I will list the risks and perks of a ketogenic diet
C. Lastly, I will provide an outline of ketogenic diet.

Transition: Let me begin by giving a basic rundown of the science behind ketosis.
III.

Body
Ketosis is defined as an abnormal increase of ketone bodies in the body in conditions of
reduced or disturbed carbohydrate metabolism (Medical Dictionary, 2016).
A. Adipocytes are broken down and used by the body but the brain needs to use ketone
bodies (Carmant, 2008).
Transition: Why would we or wouldnt we want to put our bodies into ketosis?

IV.

There are factors to consider when engaging in a ketogenic diet.

A. A ketogenic diet has been tested to suggest that it can aid in weight loss, cardiovascular
disease, type 2 diabetes, and epilepsy (Paoli, Rubini, Volek, & Grimaldi, 2013).

B. Scientific research supports that Ketoacidosis can only take place in those with insulin
deficiencies (Mullins, Hallam, & Broom, 2011).
C. Adverse side effects include: dehydration, hypoglycemia, vomiting, kidney stones and more
(Wheless, 2001).
Transition: If by taking these factors into consideration you are looking towards engaging in a
ketogenic diet, I will provide a guideline on how to do so.
V.
VI.

The most basic guideline for the diet is 60% fats, 35% protein and 5% carbs (Mangia, 2012).
A. The transition to a ketogenic diet can be made with or without fasting (Dong, Hoon, Jung, &
Heung, 2004).
B. Even with cutting carbs, the diet offers a variety of meal choices (Mangia, 2012).
Transition: By now you can see that a ketogenic diet is a realistic possibility.
Conclusion

VII.

A ketogenic diet is not for everybody, but it can be successful when done properly.
A. Ketosis works by substituting the bodys main energy source, carbohydrates, with ketones
(Hartman & Vining, 2007).
B. A ketogenic diet can offer positive and negative effects that should be considered (Wheless,
2001).
C. Starting the diet requires careful planning (Dong, Hoon, Jung, & Heung, 2004).

VIII.

Its important to understand any diet before starting one. Knowing how it works and what side
effects could arise is essential to preventing medical complications.

References
Carmant, L. (2008). Assessing ketosis: Approaches and pitfalls. Epilepsia (Series 4), 4920-22.
doi:10.1111/j.1528-1167.2008.01826.x
Dong Wook, K., Hoon Chul, K., Jung Chae, P., & Heung Dong, K. (2004). Benefits of the Nonfasting
Ketogenic Diet Compared With the Initial Fasting Ketogenic Diet. Pediatrics, 114(6), 1627-1630.
doi:10.1542/peds.2004-1001
Hartman, A. L., & Vining, E. G. (2007). Clinical Aspects of the Ketogenic Diet. Epilepsia (Series 4), 48(1), 3142. doi:10.1111/j.1528-1167.2007.00914.x
Mangia, A. (2012, February 15). Sample Ketogenic Diet Menu. Retrieved November 21, 2016, from
http://www.theketogenicdiet.org/sample-ketogenic-diet-menu/
Medical Dictionary. (2016). Retrieved November 21, 2016, from http://c.merriamwebster.com/medlineplus/ketosis
Mullins, G., Hallam, C. L., & Broom, I. (2011). Ketosis, ketoacidosis and very-low-calorie diets: putting the
record straight. Nutrition Bulletin, 36(3), 397-402. doi:10.1111/j.1467-3010.2011.01916.x
Paoli, A., Rubini, A., Volek, J. S., & Grimaldi, K. A. (2013). Beyond weight loss: a review of the therapeutic
uses of very-low-carbohydrate (ketogenic) diets. European Journal Of Clinical Nutrition, 67(8), 789796. doi:10.1038/ejcn.2013.116
Wheless, J. W. (2001). The Ketogenic Diet: An Effective Medical Therapy With Side Effects. Journal Of Child
Neurology, 16(9), 633