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Ketosis, getting it higher.

SueJB

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,336
Location
Heaven
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
cold weather
I wobble from being extremely positive to being dull and apathetic about where I am with this T1 diabetes.
At the moment, I'm on a campaign to get even better control of my BGs and my body. My BGs tend to wobble too but I'm generally managing to keep them within range.
When I was first diagnosed my ketones were 5.1 which I've since learned is "starvation ketosis". I don't want to go that far again but I would like to try and achieve the optimal ketone level which I believe starts at 0.5 - 3mmols. I've measured mine today for no good reason and it's 0.5.

So the question is how can I reach a higher level and so burn more fat?
My carb intake per day is 30-40g
 
You could try fasting? .. as you've been around here for a while I'm guessing you are good at regulating your insulin depending on what you have eaten but have you tried not eating? Usually bumps up my ketones and you'll be running on fat if you haven't eaten.
 

How are you testing for ketones, Sue? Are you testing blood or urine? If it's urine, the strips can be really quite inaccurate.

How confident are you with adjusting your levels? Do you know how you would manage your insulin requirements if you were to be eating less, or much less?

If you are contemplating changing your eating habits significantly, you have to be confident in your insulin management as things may change significantly.
 
Hi, I use testing strips. I'm confident about adjusting bolus but I'm not sure / don't think I'd need to adjust basal. I think I'm looking for food advice on what I can do to make a bigger impact.
 
Old fashioned exercise.

Have you got this huge boost of energy that some get?
I never did but I have underactive thyroid too so sluggish, always. Painkillers making me tired too so low carbing doesn't resolve lack of energy, for me. (on insulin)
You may be different so if energetic.... exercise will burn fat too. Don't muscle build as it makes IR worse.
 
I don't eat from around 7 in the evening til about 1 the following day, does that count as fasting or does it need to be longer do you think?
 
SueJB said:
I don't eat from around 7 in the evening til about 1 the following day, does that count as fasting or does it need to be longer do you think?
Click to expand...
That's what is know as intermittent fasting as I'm sure you know but not everyone does) i.e. eating within a certain time window. You are there doing a 18:6 fasting regime fasting for 18 hours and eating in a 6 hour window.
As a Type 2 I have fasted for longer periods and got my lowest blood sugars and highest ketones on about the 3rd day of not eating (I still have coffee, tea and some kind of clear soup with butter on my extended fasts). Thats an extended fast. I know absolutely nothing about insulin requirements when doing this so if you aren't sure then try and find a fasting Type 1 who has experience. I'm not sure there are many (any?) on the forum though...
If you are doing this for weight loss then your intermittent fasting regime should help a lot so I'd maybe try that for a month or so and see how it goes. Alternatively there is a Type 1 section on the www.ketogenicforums.com so it may well be worth signing up there to get some more experienced fasters/ketogenic Type 1's.
 
Magic, really helpful and very clear.
 
If you are showing ketones then you are in ketosis - burning fat to deal with your energy needs in the near past.
The keto stick colour is not all that important - it is like testing a car exhaust each hour, for instance - the engine might have been working harder earlier, but that gas has already been blown away when the car comes to a stop and is idling (Not an exact analogy but I think it gives the idea)
 
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