The role of ketones in health?

I think you are right. Ketogenic diets are also used in children with Epilepsy - in some it seems to help.

Interesting. I wasn't aware that there might be some advantages. Some posters have suggested that as the body goes for carbs first that it is therefore the preferred food, but perhaps it is more complicated than that.

Well, by the same logic we should all avoid milk because lactose-intolerant people can't have it.

This is hardly a new idea (e.g. William Banting's "Letter on Corpulence Addressed to the Public"), and it could actually be correct but recommending it to the general public because it makes some incurable conditions more manageable is a bit premature.

hanadr said:

I'm beginning to think that ketones are something we SHOULD have in small quantities in our blood. I've read articles recently on many conditions where the ketogenic diet helps. They include a number of neurological conditions and even some cancers.
Could we be demonising something which properly belongs in our blood? and by eating too much carbohydrate, inhibiting the production of an important molecule?
just a thought.
Hana
After all things are not clear on cholesterol! We do need some of that

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Interesting.

Can you link to the articles please.

Really interesting


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Long term side effects of a Ketogenic diet for epilepsy patients are kidney stones, and brittle bones and fractures, and some hypercholesterolaemia.
So already good indicators that a long term ketogenic diet has long term side effects.

Rather not have ketones thanks

Yeah..... Until there is proven medical advise to the contrary I'm going to go ahead and keep avoiding ketones as far as possible!

Ketosis / Ketoacidosis / ketones

Diabetics, and even some health professionals, often confuse two quite distinct metabolic processes - ketosis and ketoacidosis. Ketosis is a perfectly natural and healthy state during which the body uses stored or dietary fat for fuel. In order to enter this state, carbohydrate intake needs to fall below a certain level. Ideally, a healthy metabolism should regularly use ketosis, while fasting overnight for example, to fuel the body's processes and utilise stored fat reserves. Most of the body's organs, the heart for example, in fact run very efficiently on ketones.

Ketoacidosis is quite different and is typically the result of a chronic lack of insulin, not a lack of carbohydrate. With insufficient insulin, the body attempts to fuel itself by breaking down fat and protein stores in an uncontrolled way, a process which results in the blood becoming dangerously acidic. In short, ketosis usually occurs when blood sugars are at the lower end of the normal range, and ketoacidosis occurs when blood sugars are dangerously elevated. Ketosis is a result of low carbohydrate intake, ketoacidosis is a result of inaquate insulin levels.

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=9427

FB

Had them, ended up in hospital on a drip that contained glucose and saved my life.

(had read on a thread here about a hydration drip being bad for diabetics)
So, refuse a drip and have ketones!!!!!!

havnt had, needed, or want them again!

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I run low ketones most days but my BG never gets above 6.5 so never a problem.

FB

Ketones in any form for a prolonged period could cause unseen internal damage. What would the ketones burn after fat stores used up and when needing extra energy quickly for activity? Organs and muscle.

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Would add, just so theres 2 sides, am not overweight, have very good blood sugar control, no other medical problems other than diabetic, always show 0/0.1 ketones when I do test em, eat 300+carbs a day.

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I sometimes show +4 on the Ketostix and mostly show +3 on a daily basis simply down to my low carb regime and I've had no ill effects whatsoever as my Bg's are well controlled although of course I'm very careful during illness when my BG's run high no matter what I eat.

Paul

Be careful with those levels of ketones paul. Even on a low carb diet that on high side.

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fatbird said:

Ketosis / Ketoacidosis / ketones

Diabetics, and even some health professionals, often confuse two quite distinct metabolic processes - ketosis and ketoacidosis. Ketosis is a perfectly natural and healthy state during which the body uses stored or dietary fat for fuel. In order to enter this state, carbohydrate intake needs to fall below a certain level. Ideally, a healthy metabolism should regularly use ketosis, while fasting overnight for example, to fuel the body's processes and utilise stored fat reserves. Most of the body's organs, the heart for example, in fact run very efficiently on ketones.

Ketoacidosis is quite different and is typically the result of a chronic lack of insulin, not a lack of carbohydrate. With insufficient insulin, the body attempts to fuel itself by breaking down fat and protein stores in an uncontrolled way, a process which results in the blood becoming dangerously acidic. In short, ketosis usually occurs when blood sugars are at the lower end of the normal range, and ketoacidosis occurs when blood sugars are dangerously elevated. Ketosis is a result of low carbohydrate intake, ketoacidosis is a result of inaquate insulin levels.

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=9427

FB

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Well, healthy and happy apart from the recognised long term effects recorded when it's been used to treat epilepsy.
Kidney stones are treatable, an osteoporosis type side effect isn't quite so easy.

Understanding Ketones and Low Carbohydrate Diets

A common misunderstanding regarding the metabolic effects of low carb diets is the formation of ketone bodies. The presence of ketones is often confused with ketoacidosis resulting from uncontrolled diabetes, starvation or certain alcoholic conditions.

Dietary ketones are more common that most people realize. In addition to a low carb intake, they occur on any weight loss plan when fat is burned or even after an overnight fast.

Ketones and Evolution

Ketones are produced when fat is utilized to meet energy needs as occurs when the diet comprises less than about 50 grams of carbohydrates daily. They are a source of energy for the heart muscle and a backup fuel source for the brain. It is because of our bodies’ ability to utilize stored fat in times of a limited food supply that man has survived. This ability to safely use ketones preserves lean body mass.

Almost all body tissues can utilize ketones as fuel. Even on a low carb plan the body is still able to provide glucose to those cells that require it.

According to Dr. Richard Veech, an NIH researcher and expert on ketones, both the brain and heart work more efficiently on ketones than glucose. He also states that the fear of ketones is likely to be exaggerated.1

Ketoacidosis or Dietary Ketones

Diabetic ketoacidosis inpeople with diabetes occurs when blood sugar levels are exceeding high because insulin levels are too low. The inability of the body to handle the high levels of glucose leads to a large production of acid compounds that the body is unable to neutralize. Dehydration occurs as the body loses large amounts of water through the urine attempting to remove excess glucose. This combination of circumstances leads to a life-threatening acidosis. To clarify the misconception and confusion among many (including the medical profession) one does not get acidosis simply from having ketones when controlling carbs.2

Compare the amount of ketones produced when burning fat to other states.

Blood levels of ketones:

Fed state---0.1mmol/L

Overnight fast---0.3mmol/L.

On low carb---1 to 2 mmol/L

More than 20 days fasting---10mmol/L

Diabetic ketoacidosis---more than 25mmol/L.


Even a person with diabetes can safely utilize ketones if they are the result of a low carb plan. Additionally, because they are eating low carb their blood sugar levels are likely to be better controlled than when eating a diet of 55 to 60 percent carbs.3 Note that a low carb plan can significantly reduce the need for blood sugar medications. A person with diabetes should not change their diet without consulting their doctor.

http://www.controlcarb.com/ccn-Articles ... etones.htm

FB

Nice to see some forum users with common sense douglas99 and brett
People need to look at the bigger picture when health is involved

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