Medical basis for myself being in ketosis.

nosher8355 said:

Spent most of yesterday rummaging through the medical websites.
Though most really disagree and and dispute the evidence of continuous ketosis, that it does harm, well this sort of medical evidence is abound in most medical websites.

I have copied this from a conglomeration of medical websites, it is not my words.
Sorry, no links as this would be general knowledge throughout the medical industry.
I could never in a million years, choose these words!
This describes the evidence that we actually don't need carbs to be well, as the source of glucose between glucose derived from carbs and sugars and glucose derived from being in ketosis.

'Although the cells can use other fuels, neurons depend on glucose as a source of energy, unless the person is in ketosis, they do not require insulin to absorb glucose, unlike muscle and adipose tissue, and they have very small internal storage of glycogen. Glycogen stored in liver cells can be converted to glucose and released into the blood, when glucose from digestion is low or absent, and the glycerol backbone in triglycerides can also be used to produce blood glucose.'

For someone who has a condition that reacts to carbs and excessive insulin, this gives me my attitude towards not having to digest the so called good carbs, for me carbs are carbs and not conducive to my body and how it works.
Reducing insulin in the blood, will also help so many other conditions as well, mainly T2.
That's why reducing your carbs will help with insulin resistance.

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KevinPotts said:

Interesting stuff chaps. I wonder how the traditional aboriginal ndiets of the antipodes, north American, Canada Inuits for instance, all of which have been clinically observed and researched and managed on perpetual ketogenic diets, whilst watching their protein intake and consuming 65% + fat. They still appeared to thrive on this lifestyle eating approach.

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Oldvatr said:

I see from other posts you have made, that you are running with a Very Low Carb diet (<20g.day). I can understand why someone with RH would want to run their metbolism like this, but I am not so sure if it is a good idea for T2's (or others) to follow a 'continuous ketosis' diet. The justification you quote in this post is I think an oversimplification of the processes involved, and not very helpful.

Firstly, what it says is true. Neurons cannot get their energy from any other source except from glycogen or ketones in the blood. Neurons must have glucose or ketones, or our brain, and respiratory systems fail, and we die. So our body has learnt to adapt to protect these most vital of bodily functions. Ketosis is one such mechanism, but it is a backup protection, and not the primary means of living.

Then there is gluconeogenesis, by which glucose is made from proteins during ketosis, but for this to occur, our bodies need to be in ketosis, and with low glucose levels. This glucogenesis can also synthesise glucose from fats, but it only does this when there is low protein around. This is very close to starvation mode, and is the last ditch effort to provide glucose for the brain. It is the Last Chance Saloon.

If we run with continuous ketosis, which is what I think you are trying to justify here, then this will lead to (a) glycogen stores depleted, and not recharging easily, and (b) fat stores depleted by ketosis. So we are already on emergency rations. Add some extra exercise or exertion, and then we rely on gluconeogenesis working flat out to support it. If you are also restricting fat and/or protein, then the body may start to struggle to maintain functions since gluconeogenesis is a very inefficient process and slow to react.

I think this is why medical people feel that ketogenic diets carry some risk, since we choose to force our bodies to run in emergency mode for prolonged periods, and we deliberately run down our backup batteries. I hope we get a full discussion going here, since not everyone reading these posts will be experienced or informed.

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KevinPotts said:

Munkii, I totally agree, that's why I find LCHF so palatable (excuse the pun).

No calorie counting, full and satisfied all the time by simply, cutting the carbs, moderate protein and more fats, preferably good ones. you'll only experience an adaptation to ketones if you drop to 20g per day, which arguably is the state that translates you to fat burning. But you could ease in if your concerned, by dropping to say 120g a day, like the low carb program promoted through diabetes.co.uk

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