BrianTheElder
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 574
- Location
- Surrey, UK
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Diet only
- Dislikes
- Snide people
Hi
As an introduction, the Randle Cycle describes how the body switches between glycolysis (glucose burning) and lipolysis (fat burning). It is biochemistry, so if anyone is keen to find out more, just look it up on the internet. The main point is that there is an actual change and the body will only be in one state or the other. The change point is when the body finds there are insufficient carbs around to supply the organs and muscles adequately. We call the ensuing state ketosis because the body burns ketones from fat rather than glucose from carbs and proteins.
After about 7 months of a ketogenic diet, my numbers have all pretty well levelled out. So I take notice when something unusual happens. On several occasions, I have seen my weight increase, my bs increase and my ketones go down. I have attributed all these to coming out of ketosis, either inadvertently or from an indulgent lapse.
Thinking about this, I wondered what was happening while I was out of ketosis and still eating my ketogenic diet. The first thing is that I would not have enough energy, because there wouldn’t be enough carbs and protein around. Secondly, there would be excessive fat, so the insulin produced in reaction to the carbs would put the fat into storage (weight increase). Thirdly, the liver would process the protein to produce more glucose, causing an increase in my low bs levels. resulting in more insulin in a feedback loop. I’m not sure if that makes sense, but I decided that if I dropped out of ketosis in future, I should go on a short fast to re-establish my balance.
But then I thought of those diabetics that select a moderate carb higher fat diet. They will not go into ketosis because they eat enough carbs to stay in glycolysis. The excess fat will therefore be put into storage because there is insulin present. Also, they may not be able to produce enough glucose from the moderate carbs to satisfy their energy needs. That makes me think that the grey area between a ketogenic diet and a moderate LCHF should be avoided if you intend to lose weight and keep up your energy levels.
As an introduction, the Randle Cycle describes how the body switches between glycolysis (glucose burning) and lipolysis (fat burning). It is biochemistry, so if anyone is keen to find out more, just look it up on the internet. The main point is that there is an actual change and the body will only be in one state or the other. The change point is when the body finds there are insufficient carbs around to supply the organs and muscles adequately. We call the ensuing state ketosis because the body burns ketones from fat rather than glucose from carbs and proteins.
After about 7 months of a ketogenic diet, my numbers have all pretty well levelled out. So I take notice when something unusual happens. On several occasions, I have seen my weight increase, my bs increase and my ketones go down. I have attributed all these to coming out of ketosis, either inadvertently or from an indulgent lapse.
Thinking about this, I wondered what was happening while I was out of ketosis and still eating my ketogenic diet. The first thing is that I would not have enough energy, because there wouldn’t be enough carbs and protein around. Secondly, there would be excessive fat, so the insulin produced in reaction to the carbs would put the fat into storage (weight increase). Thirdly, the liver would process the protein to produce more glucose, causing an increase in my low bs levels. resulting in more insulin in a feedback loop. I’m not sure if that makes sense, but I decided that if I dropped out of ketosis in future, I should go on a short fast to re-establish my balance.
But then I thought of those diabetics that select a moderate carb higher fat diet. They will not go into ketosis because they eat enough carbs to stay in glycolysis. The excess fat will therefore be put into storage because there is insulin present. Also, they may not be able to produce enough glucose from the moderate carbs to satisfy their energy needs. That makes me think that the grey area between a ketogenic diet and a moderate LCHF should be avoided if you intend to lose weight and keep up your energy levels.