@Jessrm_23 wrote:
This process of using fat as the source of energy instead of sugar is called ketosis. Ketosis is a process that results from the production of ketone bodies, which are known acidic. If there is a buildup of ketone bodies in the blood, particularly among diabetics, a possible grave condition known as ketoacidosis may happen. It is very vital to take plenty of water to lower the level of ketones in the blood. The different signs and symptoms of having ketoacidosis are nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, fruity-smelling breath, and deep and fast breathing.
The article quoted above isn't very clear regarding the difference between ketosis (a desired state) and ketoacidosis (a dangerous state, usually associated with diabetics who have uncontrolled blood sugars). That article also fails to mention that the brain and the heart actually function better on ketones than on glucose, and is a desired state for those following a ketogenic diet. There are even products on the market that specifically measure ketones: Ketostix and Ketonix - the stix measure ketones in the urine (less reliable), and the Ketonix (more reliable) is like a breathalzyer test that measures ketones in the breath. Here is a great description of the difference between nutritional ketosis and ketoacidosis, written by Dr. Peter Attia (I highly recommend reading his blog, especially the lengthy, yet informative section on cholesterol and its lack of relation to cardiovascular disease):
"Why do we make ketones? For starters, it’s a vital evolutionary advantage. Our brain can only function with glucose and ketones. Since we can’t store more than about 24 hours worth of glucose, we would all die of hypoglycemia if ever forced to fast for more than 24 hours. Fortunately, our liver can take fat and select amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) and turn them into ketones, first and foremost to feed our brains. Hence, our body’s ability to produce ketones is required for basic survival."
"What is diabetic ketoacidosis? When a diabetic (usually a Type I diabetic, but sometimes this occurs in very late-stage, insulin-dependent, Type II diabetics) fails to receive enough insulin, they go into an effective state of starvation. While they may have all the glucose in the world in their bloodstream, without insulin, they can’t get any into their cells. Hence, they are effectively going into starvation. The body does what it would do in anyone – it starts to make ketones out of fat and proteins. Here’s the problem: the diabetic patient in this case can’t produce any insulin, so there is no feedback loop and they continue to produce more and more ketones without stopping. By the time ketone levels (specifically, beta-hydroxybutyrate) approach 15 to 25 mM, the resulting pH imbalance leads to profound metabolic derangement and the patient is critically ill."
"But this state of metabolic derangement is not actually possible in a person who can produce insulin, even in small amounts. The reason is that a feedback loop prevents the ketone level from getting high enough to cause the change in pH that leads to the cascade of bad problems. A person who is said to be “keto-adapted,” or in a state of nutritional ketosis, generally has beta-hydroxybutyrate levels between about 0.5 and 3.0 mM. This is far less than the levels required to cause harm through acid-base abnormalities."
"Keto-adaption is a state, achieved through significant reduction of carbohydrate intake (typically to less than 50 grams per day), where the body changes from relying on glycogen as its main source of energy to relying on fat. Specifically, the brain shifts from being primarily dependent on glucose, to being primarily dependent on beta-hydroxybutyrate. This has nothing to do with what a diabetic patient is experiencing in DKA, but does illustrate how poorly informed and quick to react the medical community is. DKA and nutritional ketosis (or keto-adaptation) have as much in common as a house fire and a fireplace."
http://eatingacademy.com/nutrition/is-ketosis-dangerous
If anyone is interested in learning more about low carbohydrate diets, Drs. Phinney and Volek offer two books: "The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Living", and for low carb athletes, "The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Performance".
Someone upthread also mentioned a relationship to high protein diets and cancer. Again, a low carb high fat diet is *not* considered a high protein diet. In fact very low carbohydrate high fat diets (ketogenic) are being utilized as an adjunct to chemotherapy and radiation therapies, for therapeutic purposes. I highly recommend watching this video by Dr. Colin Champ, that addresses the therapeutic effects of a ketogenic diet on cancer treatment. Fascinating stuff:
"Dr. Champ is a board-certified radiation oncologist and assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He researches cancer treatment as well as diet and nutrition and has been invited to lecture on the topic around the country and world. He is one of the few physicians invited to present academic Oncology Grand Rounds as a resident, an honor usually reserved for experts after years or decades in the field. While only a resident, he published over 20 peer-reviewed articles, started a health and fitness website and company, and co-hosted a podcast that was top-ranked in the U.S., England, and Australia. He has been featured in the Boston Globe, The Gupta Guide with Sanjay Gupta, the National Cancer Institute at the National Institute of Health, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology newsletter, to name only a few. During his medical training, he created Cavemandoctor.com in an effort to simplify the complex aspects of evidence-based medicine for the common reader. The website quickly gained nearly three million readers. He is considered an energetic voice in the field of medicine as he adamantly emphasizes the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Most importantly, he practices what he preaches by stressing a healthy diet and lifestyle for both his patients and himself."
"Unknown to many scientists and practicing physicians, there is nearly a century of data revealing the effect of diet on cancer diagnosis and treatment. More recently, preclinical and clinical data have been confirming this effect. Most notably, the potentiation of radiation therapy and chemotherapy via carbohydrate restriction and intermittent fasting is currently being assessed in clinical trials. Some data has even shown that it may reduce side effects of current cancer treatment. The potential metabolic treatment and management of cancer is an exciting new area in the field of oncology. This presentation will discuss the connection between cancer treatment and diet by highlighting both the historical data and Dr. Champ’s research in the field."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot96y5-D_K0
I'm currently 5.5 years on a LCHF diet, and my health markers have improved greatly. Within a few months of starting the LCHF diet, my lipid profile improved to the point that my doctor had stopped pushing statins on me (not that I would *ever* take a statin, given the very dangerous side effects and the fact that it extends your life by a mere 3 days). I know folks that have been following LCHF diets for 15 and 20 years, with no ill effects.
