Question:
What is a state of Ketosis and how do I get my body there?
— maria R. (posted on September 2, 2003)
September 2, 2003
The following is an exerpt from Dr. Atkins book... he Explains ketosis in
great detail, but here is a thumbnail definition for you:
Briefly, the body naturally turns to fat for fuel when carbohydrate isn't
available. When a lot of fat is burned, some of the fat fragments - ketones
- get excreted to preserve the body's acid-base balance (because ketones
are acid), and this called "ketosis." The excreted ketones have
about 5 calories per gram, and since you can excrete quite a lot of
ketones, this confers Atkins' "metabolic advantage."
If you are post-op, most likely you are in ketosis if you are losing
weight. However, the fastest way I know to send your body into fat burning
mode (ketosis) is to make protien your mainstay and limit your
carbohydrates to green veggies, and low glycemic fruits like strawberries,
blue berries, etc. Ketosis is a sign that you are burning fat. You will
know you are there when you are losing weight well, but also everything may
have a funny taste when your body first goes into ketosis. Just limit your
carbs, and up your protien... most simple way to get there.
— Happy I.
September 2, 2003
One minor thing - you do not have to be in ketosis to be loosing weight. I
test my urine on a regular basis and am not always in ketosis and I am
still steadily loosing about 6 pounds a month. That 6 pounds my doctor and
exercise therapist are very happy with - I am loosing fat and not lean body
tissue. They want me to continue loosing at the rate that I am because for
me they feel it is healthy.
— ChristineB
September 2, 2003
If one wants to make maximum use of ketosis you want zero carbs or
extremely close to that. I did this for about 4-1/2 months. My surgeons
post-op plan does this for the first 6 weeks then allows some veggies and
fruits. However, I was very happy with the results I was seeing as far as
fat leaving my body, that I chose to continue on this way with no more than
0-10 grams of carbs a day and most meals devoid of carbs. I discussed it
with my surgeon and he said it was safe as long as I got in the fluids to
flush the ketones out of my body. Please understand I am mainly talking
about getting rid of inches of fat. I lost 22 lbs the first month, which
is probably on the low side for a SMO, but I also lost 3 pants sizes all
because the size of the gut dropped so much. This was my motivation for
continuing on such a strict plan to stay in max ketosis. It's not for
everyone but it worked for me. I also believe that it helped break the
hold carbs had on me as now I am able to eat some and they do not set off
cravings, which I hope continues for the rest of my life.
<p>It is not necessary to be in ketosis to lose weight but if a
person's eating plan has much for carbs in it then one must be concerned
about getting in enough calories to avoid starvation mode, which requires a
minimum of 600 calories. Using ketosis allows a person to eat way less
protein and not worry about getting in a minimum of 60 grams. The whole
process of ketosis forces our bodies to use the fat on it for energy and
not the protien/muscle.
<p>Basically a plan that is using food only (99.9% protein), in the
early post-op stages, is using max ketosis to protect itself as it is
impossible to get in 60 grams of protein on just food. There is no
question that people can lose on a plan that does and does not use ketosis.
It's a matter of personal preference. The plans that do not use ketosis
at all, or minimally, are typically requiring that protein drinks be used
and that a minimum of protein and calories be taken in. The protein drinks
can have carbs and any food that they do eat can have more carbs than a
ketosis plan. Some will allow cereal, oatmeal, mashed potatoes etc. This
type of plan can also produce excellent weight loss results. It really
comes down to what the philosophy of the surgeon is, about food. Mine
believes in starting solid food at 7 days PO and we are expected to chew to
mush. He wants us to get the full feeling and start changing our eating
habits from the start. Other surgeons feel it is important to healing that
a patient only use liquids for anywhere from a few to 8 weeks. Both
programs produce excellent results and both protect the body from attacking
the protein in our bodies.
<p>If your plan uses protein drinks and you want to get into max
ketosis then you need to choose drinks that have as close to zero as
possible for carbs and loaded with protein. If you also use food it would
need to be the same way. Don't forget about getting in the water though
because if the ketones don't get flushed out you can end up with gout and
other medical problems. It's safe as long as you follow the rules.
— zoedogcbr
September 2, 2003
Ketosis or not Ketosis please remember everyone body reacts different.
Find what works for you and run with it.For me it has been moderation and
learning what a portion size is.
— msski
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