Keto vs. ASTR Diet: What’s the Healthiest Anti-Inflammatory Plan?
Meta Description: Is keto really the best anti-inflammatory diet? Compare the ketogenic diet to the ASTR Diet and discover which one supports long-term healing and inflammation reversal.
Keto vs. ASTR Diet: Which One Truly Heals Inflammation?
The ketogenic diet has become one of the most popular ways to lose weight and improve blood sugar. While it offers short-term benefits, its long-term impact on inflammation, liver health, and gut balance is still debated. The ASTR Diet, developed by Dr. Joseph Jacobs, takes a root-cause approach to healing by addressing inflammation, toxin overload, hormone imbalance, and digestive health—all areas that keto may neglect.
This page compares the keto diet and ASTR Diet side by side, using scientific evidence to reveal which plan truly supports long-term health.
What Is the Keto Diet?
The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, very low-carbohydrate diet that pushes the body into ketosis—a state where fat becomes the primary fuel source instead of glucose.
Common keto foods:
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Butter, bacon, cheese, eggs, red meat, coconut oil
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Leafy greens, avocados, nuts, and low-carb vegetables
Short-Term Benefits
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Rapid weight loss
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Lower blood sugar and insulin
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Reduced appetite
(Bueno et al., 2013; Paoli et al., 2014)
Long-Term Risks
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Increases LDL cholesterol and inflammation when high in saturated fat
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Linked to fatty liver disease and poor gut microbiome diversity
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Often low in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants
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Unsustainable for many due to restrictive nature
(Mazidi et al., 2021; Jornayvaz et al., 2010)
While keto may help some metabolic markers, it does not address environmental toxins, food quality, or hormone disruption—factors that play a major role in inflammation and chronic illness.
What Is the ASTR Diet?
The ASTR Diet is a science-based healing plan developed by Dr. Joseph Jacobs, a Doctor of Physical Therapy and cancer survivor. After years of pain, fatigue, and failed attempts with popular diets, Dr. Jacobs created the ASTR Diet to help patients heal at the root by eliminating inflammation, repairing the gut, and reducing toxin exposure.
What the ASTR Diet Focuses On
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Clean, unprocessed, nutrient-dense whole foods
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Removal of inflammatory oils, refined sugar, and chemicals
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Supports liver detoxification, hormone balance, and mitochondrial repair
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Includes intermittent fasting for cellular healing
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Personalized and sustainable for long-term results
The ASTR Diet is outlined in the book Eat to Heal and includes access to health coaching for additional support.
Inflammation: The Core Issue Most Diets Miss
Chronic inflammation is the foundation of most modern diseases—including diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune conditions, and cancer (Furman et al., 2019). While keto may lower some inflammation markers, its high intake of animal fats and exclusion of healing plant foods can trigger new issues.
The ASTR Diet was designed specifically to reduce inflammation by eliminating inflammatory triggers and restoring nutrient balance. Unlike keto, it includes a wide variety of fiber-rich, antioxidant-rich, and detox-supportive foods.
Keto vs. ASTR Diet: Head-to-Head Comparison
Feature | Keto Diet | ASTR Diet |
---|---|---|
Carbohydrate Intake | Very low | Moderate (focused on clean, low-toxin sources) |
Fat Source | Often high in saturated fats | Prioritizes healthy, anti-inflammatory fats |
Anti-Inflammatory Focus | Partial | Complete and targeted |
Gut Health Support | Often neglected | Central to the plan |
Toxin Removal | Not addressed | Primary focus |
Hormone Balance | Not addressed | Key pillar |
Long-Term Sustainability | Difficult for many | Designed for life-long health |
Why the ASTR Diet Is Safer and More Effective
The keto diet may offer a short-term boost in weight loss or blood sugar, but it carries long-term risks when not implemented with high food quality and diversity. The ASTR Diet not only supports weight management but also addresses the underlying causes of inflammation—gut dysbiosis, toxin overload, and hormonal imbalance—while being more nutritionally complete and sustainable.
For individuals struggling with fatigue, autoimmune issues, hormonal problems, or food sensitivities, the ASTR Diet offers a clear, science-backed path toward healing without the nutritional risks of extreme carb restriction.
Start Healing with the ASTR Diet Today
The ASTR Diet is more than a diet—it’s a functional healing plan grounded in clinical results. Begin your journey with the book Eat to Heal by Dr. Joseph Jacobs and schedule your free consultation with an ASTR health coach to receive a personalized plan.
👉 Schedule your free session now
References
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Bueno, N. B., de Melo, I. S., de Oliveira, S. L., & da Rocha Ataide, T. (2013). Very-low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet vs. low-fat diet for long-term weight loss: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. British Journal of Nutrition, 110(7), 1178–1187. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114513000548
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Furman, D., Campisi, J., Verdin, E., et al. (2019). Chronic inflammation in the etiology of disease across the life span. Nature Medicine, 25, 1822–1832. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-019-0675-0
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Jornayvaz, F. R., Jurczak, M. J., Lee, H. Y., et al. (2010). A high-fat, ketogenic diet causes hepatic insulin resistance in mice. Journal of Lipid Research, 51(10), 2986–2994. https://doi.org/10.1194/jlr.M008144
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Mazidi, M., Katsiki, N., Mikhailidis, D. P., & Banach, M. (2021). Effect of low carbohydrate diet on liver enzymes: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, 31(3), 835–842. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.numecd.2020.11.008
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Paoli, A., Rubini, A., Volek, J. S., & Grimaldi, K. A. (2014). Beyond weight loss: A review of the therapeutic uses of very-low-carbohydrate (ketogenic) diets. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 67(8), 789–796. https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2013.116