Ketosis - Why is it not what we want?

Just had a call from the dietitian on my latest rounds of blood work (4 months out).  She said that I am slightly dehydrated and I have protein and ketosis (?)  in my urine.  To eat more carbs and that ketosis (?) was not good as my body was eating itself.  To up my water and eat more.

Please help clarify.

Thanks

Traci

Hmmm, you got me, I thought that being in ketosis was desirable too! 

Maybe its only good short term?

Hmm...interesting and confusing.  I always thought Ketosis was a good thing for weight loss.  After surgery arent we in a constant state of ketosis intially because of the quantity of protein and limited carbs? 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wi****tosis

that is a wikipedia article.

http://www.anorexia-reflections.com/ketosis-symptoms.html

and that's another one.

You have ketones (acetone) in your urine. Ketones are what make the bad breath (described as fruity breath). It's a symptom of diabetes as well.

Ketosis basically means that the liver is working too hard, burning fat for fuel instead of glucose, like its used to. It can be very hard on your liver, and your kidneys. Your liver, to process that fat into energy, and your kidneys, to rid your body of the ketones. 

From the articles i've read, its kind of controversial whether or not ketosis is good or bad for you. My opinion is that its not good, long term.

 You need to make sure you get a certain amount of carbs in your diet (check with your dietitian about how much) and you should drink lots of water.

Hope that helps.

Monica

Thanks it does. 

awesome drink up!

Kind of scary actually.  On to more carbs and water.

Remember...it's all about being HEALTHY.  We want to lose weight, but we dont want to damage our liver or kidneys either.   Eat up and drink up!  [I'll have to remember that advice for myself post surgery!]

But isn't the point of having optifast to go into ketosis so you reduce the fat?  I was in ketosis during optifast and probably until 3 months after surgery when I could eat more and was told it was normal and expected.  Makes me wonder if there's a level that is acceptable?

My doctor told me that unless you're diabetic, you're not in any danger of doing damage with a few months of ketosis - he encourages it for weight loss and is a proponent of low-carb in general. Since we're being so closely monitored, if there were any other problems I think we would know quite quickly. I actually plan to stay in ketosis for as long as I can post-op.