Question:
What exactly is ketosis?

I have noticed many people have mentioned ketosis. What exactly is it? Are we supposed to be checking this? Thanks for your help!!    — dl_roark (posted on July 8, 2003)

July 8, 2003
Your body's preferred source of energy is carbohydrates. When there are not enough carbohydrates taken in, your body will begin to break down stored fat to use for fuel. This breakdown of fats releases several other chemicals into your body. One of these by-products is ketone bodies, or simply ketones (therefore the name "ketosis"). Some of the other chemicals released include acetone, ammonia and uric acid. The acetone and ammonia can cause bad breath and a bad taste in your mpouth; uric acid can lead to gout. Your body gets rid of these chemical byproducts through your kidneys, intestines and lungs. One of the reasons it is so important to get your liquids in is so you can flush these chemicals out of your body. Ketones will spill over into your urine, which allows you to test for their presence by using a product called ketosis sticks. These pick up the presence of ketone bodies in the urine, and let you know that your body is burning fat. It's good to be burning fat, but you do need to get the chemical byproducts out of your body, so be sure to drink plenty of water. Unless you are diabetic or have existing kidney or liver problems, there does not seem to be any harm in being in a state of ketosis. Its primary interest to our community is that it is a tangible indicator that we are burning fat. You do not need to test for it (unless you are diabetic), but it is sometimes comforting to have that affirmation. Also, if you are a long-term post op who has added more carbs into your diet it is a way of telling if you are burning carbs or fat for your body's fuel.
   — Vespa R.

July 8, 2003
SO ... anyone losing weight (fat) would be experiencing ketosis, right?
   — Karyn B