The Keto diet craze is strong. Studies show the low-carb, high-fat diet can not only help people lose weight, but it could lead to many health benefits.

Now a Tampa doctor is conducting a study to find out if there is a healthier way for people to incorporate the Keto diet into the lifestyle.

“What we are doing with the study is to figure out if we are eating a more balanced healthy plan that includes clean protein and fat, can we use a substance called exogenous ketones and see similar results as to when patients are in natural nutritional ketosis.” said Dr. Lisa Koche, of Spectra Wellness.

In the beginning of the study, participants get a full blood work up, their weight and muscle mass are analyzed and they even go through high tech screening for focus and anxiety levels.

The key to the study is a specially patented powder that participants are asked to drink with water first thing in the morning and again 12 hours later.

The powder is patented to deliver exogenous ketones Beta-hydroxybutyrate ( BHB) and Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) to your body. The powder is designed to help your body produce it’s own ketones.

“You’re body will adapt using that fat as a fuel source and your brain and your muscles will feel better you’ll have more energy,” said Koche.

Participants are asked to log their food intake and keep their calorie count within a healthy range, and are issued a special device to measure their ketone levels three times a week. Researchers stay in constant contact with participants recording dietary intake and ketone levels throughout the eight-week study.

The idea of the study is to see if participants can eat a more well rounded diet and still see the benefits of being in a state of ketosis. However, a healthier diet doesn’t mean it’s a free for all.

“You definitely cannot eat what you want. The diet needs to be based on healthy foods, not just healthy fats. You need lots of healthy green vegetables, and you need to be very cautious of where your lean meat come from. Include more grass fed chicken and beef. We need the food be as clean as possible,” Koche said.

The typical keto diet does raise concerns by some doctors because they fear people eat too much fat and not enough healthy foods for a balanced diet.

The study will be published, and is funded by Kegenix, a Tampa Bay area company..

Dr. Koche says patients on healthy Keto diets can experience fat burning, increased mental clarity and increased energy levels.