What The Heck Is Ketosis Anyway?
Filed under Low Carb FAQs
When you hear someone talking about the Atkins diet, one of the notable effects of the diet is when your body reaches a state of “ketosis”. Ketosis is what helps your body use your fat stores for energy, and is a very exciting thing when you realize you’re in ketosis. The only setback is, not everyone understands ketosis and what it involves, so we’ll try to explain how it fits into the big picture.
You see, a large portion of diets out there rely on reducing calories. That’s all fine and dandy, and you’ll lose weight, but you have to keep in mind that you’re going to lose weight not only from fat, but also from lean muscle tissue. This, in turn, will reduce your metabolism, which could, in the long term (assuming you don’t exercise a lot) make it harder to lose weight and make it real easy to gain it back. We don’t want that, right?
A low carb diet (which is mostly known as Atkins) revolves around reducing carbohydrates. When you drastically slow down the consumption of carbs, your body will most likely go into a state of ketosis, because since your body doesn’t have carbs to burn (which is the first source it turns to for energy), it has no choice but to burn fat stores to maintain your energy level. The ketones that are created from the fat is what is being burned as energy, and they will quickly be turned into the primary source of energy. Your good old friend Mr. liver will convert your fat stores into ketones, and any extra ketones will be excreted in your urine.
These “ketones” we speak of are actually a very healthy and highly efficient source of energy, and after a few days, your body will be thanking you for making the switch. Since you’re reducing the amount of sugar and glucose while on a low carb diet, your blood sugar levels out, which is a great feeling. No more ups and downs, after a small “adjustment period”, you’ll have a very steady supply of energy.
One of the quickest ways to find out if you’re in a ketosis state is to head over to your local pharmacy (Walgreens, CVS, etc…) and pick up a package of Ketone Test Strips. They typically come in packs of 50, and cost around $15. Once you get used to testing your urine (you just slip it into your stream real quick, and its color coded), you can find out how your body reacts to certain foods. If you cheat one day and have too many carbohydrates, test yourself later that night, and you’ll notice the ketone count is lower. It’s kind of fun, actually and very encouraging when you continually test positive for ketones. It means you’re doing it right!
I have to add though, that in some circumstances, even if you’re following a low carb diet to the letter and aren’t seeing positive tests for ketones while using a testing strip, don’t worry. There are quite a few people that even if ketones are in fact being produced, your strips won’t show it, or it may show a small amount. This seems to be somewhat common in women more than men. It’s just the way we’re designed, and as long as you’re losing weight and inches off your waistline, there is nothing to worry about!
Make sure you stay hydrated while on a low carb diet, and always check with your physician if you have even the slightest of concern or question. Once you’re cleared by the doctor, low carb diets are an outstanding way to lose all those extra pounds!
Comments
Online Pharmacy on Tue, 25th Aug 2009 12:25 pm
These testing trips work wonders. When on the Atkins this is the only true way to know whether you are doing it right or not. I used these strips and found that my body went into Ketosis after 15 days. Before that, I saw only marginal weight loss and was about to quit the diet. That’s when I got the strips, and found out I was getting too much sugar. After I hit Ketosis, I dropped 22 pounds in 4 weeks.
millie@medicalequipment on Tue, 6th Oct 2009 9:21 am
I must say – the label on this product is very good looking!! Has anyone ever used this product – does it work???
Dennis @fat burning secrets on Sat, 10th Oct 2009 7:27 pm
This is something I never heard of and I find it very interesting, especially the fact that one can measure their ketone levels. I’m sure there are a lot of people out there that have never heard of this either, but it sounds like something that can be very useful for anyone trying to lose weight. Thanks for sharing this information. I am also finding the rest of your site very helpful, too.
.-= Dennis @fat burning secrets´s last blog ..Fat Loss 4 Idiots Review =-.
Explore Talent on Thu, 5th Nov 2009 4:37 am
ou will experience water weight gain when you go off plan and if you were at a ketogenic level while dieting this will mean you gain 3-8 lbs (the same as what you you lost the first four days of the diet.)
It is water, not fat, but many people find it fightening.
Dave@lose weight on Thu, 19th Nov 2009 4:42 am
Agreat idea to help check your diet’s progress – or even if it’s working at all! I wonder if these strips are available in the UK.
David@Ketogenic diet online on Sun, 22nd Nov 2009 11:01 am
Ketogenic type of nutrition is really an excellent way to lose excess body fat. One should also mention that this is also a very effective diet for anyone into sports, and especially body building, because by being on a ketogenic diet, you not only burn up your own body fat with time, but you also take food rich in proteins (and fats), so the reduction of muscle mass is minimal. On the contrary, since you take large amounts of proteins, you even benefit the growth of new muscle tissue.
Angie@Foam Wedge Pillow on Wed, 9th Dec 2009 11:10 am
Interest articles. I never knew about the state of ketosis. I have been on a low carb diet many times and lost weight. I will get this the next time so i can monitor it. Thanks for the post.
liver enzymes on Tue, 15th Dec 2009 1:13 pm
ou will experience water weight gain when you go off plan and if you were at a ketogenic level while dieting this will mean you gain 3-8 lbs (the same as what you you lost the first four days of the diet.)
.-= liver enzymes´s last blog ..Liver enzymes =-.
brandi@winstrol online on Fri, 18th Dec 2009 7:46 pm
I’m sure there are a lot of people out there that have never heard of this either, but it sounds like something that can be very useful for anyone trying to lose weight.
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Randy@Commercial Solar Energy on Mon, 4th Jan 2010 2:29 pm
I would try and stick to a lifestyle change as opposed to diets. Diets have a lot of bad tendencies that come with them and often allow for the weight to be regained after you go off the diet.
Low Carb Foods on Tue, 5th Jan 2010 7:58 am
[...] What The Heck Is Ketosis Anyway? [...]
Online Slimming on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 9:03 am
Instead of the Atkins diet try some sensible dieting. Healthy balanced eating. See http://www.superlim.co.uk for good online advice
payday advance company on Thu, 7th Jan 2010 8:56 pm
Wow those are cool. I have never heard of them before, but I think they sound cool. I’ll have to get some and try them.
Personal Training London on Tue, 19th Jan 2010 2:33 am
Thanks for the enlightenment. I never knew about the state of ketosis. I have been on a low carb diet many times and lost weight. Thanks a bunch for sharing. Keep blogging. Looking forward to reading your next post.
Ashley on Fri, 22nd Jan 2010 4:02 am
Interesting article.. I like to share what is ketosis diet
The ketosis diet is actually another term for the ‘low carb’ diet, but it’s often called the ketosis diet because individuals who switch from high carbohydrates to low carbohydrates often go through a process called ketosis. This is when the body releases ketones, which happens when the liver works to turn fats into fatty acids that can be used to provide energy to the body. This is a process that also happens when someone is starving.
Thanks for sharing…
Keep on Blogging more about the article.
Ganar dinero on Tue, 26th Jan 2010 7:39 am
Thanks for this, very informative article.
.-= Ganar dinero´s last blog ..Otras formas de ganar dinero en internet =-.
Jerry@Hopkins real estate on Thu, 28th Jan 2010 9:15 am
I’ve heard of ketosis before and I remember my aunt uses the diet you mention above. Low carb diet. I think its really effective since my aunt got lighter and smaller figured. I just don’t know if its a healthy diet.
Ashley on Fri, 29th Jan 2010 3:58 am
Hi.. I like to share some of the ketosis symptoms.
You can actually develop ketosis symptoms that will let you know this is happening in your body. For a lot of people who begin a low-carb diet, this seems to happen three or four days into the process.
Some ketosis symptoms include:
* Tiredness or fatigue
* Headache
* Feeling thirsty all the time
* Bad breath
* Metallic taste in the mouth
* Weakness
* Dizziness
* Nausea or stomach ache
* Sleep problems
Ketosis symptoms usually last for several days—up to a week in some people—until the body is used to burning fat instead of glucose. The levels of ketones in the body (which can be measure through a urine test) will go down, but that does not mean that you are no longer losing weight. It simply means that your body has found balance and is no longer producing excess ketones.
Sometimes low-carb dieters never seem to reach ketosis, or at least never have the urine test strips indicate excess ketones (the strip turns purple when there are excess ketones). This could be because exercising has used up the excess ketones or the urine is diluted from drinking a lot of water. This doesn’t mean these people aren’t burning fat, just that they aren’t registering as technically being in ketosis.
rose@diet@weight loss on Thu, 4th Feb 2010 3:08 am
So is ketosis dangerous or not? Too much ketones in the body can be dangerous right? So it is best to get rid of them through exercise to avoid any organ damage. Am I right?
low carb diet on Sun, 7th Mar 2010 2:21 am
To be in ketosis you need low carbohydrate diet and it is not dangerous except in the following conditions: alcholism, severe, pregnancy and diabetes.
burn fat with ketosis on Sun, 7th Mar 2010 2:24 am
Ketogenic Diet Fat Burn Advantages
* No calorie counting
* No unsafe pills
* No caffeine or harmful stimulants
* No side effects, safe
Atkins diet on Sun, 7th Mar 2010 2:27 am
Atkins Diet is effective that anyone can now burn fat faster and easier than they ever imagined and without counting calories and starving.
best abs diet on Wed, 10th Mar 2010 9:47 am
I’ve heard of many people managing to lose weight using the Atkins Diet and I personally believe that there’s something to it.
Aiping Fulepp on Thu, 11th Mar 2010 12:00 pm
Usually they learn something about the human body and organs and how they function. They may learn about healthy behavior – diet, hygiene, exercise etc. They may be given information about what they should and shouldn’t do, especially in relation to sex, smoking, drinking alcohol and taking drugs
webdesignlondon on Fri, 12th Mar 2010 12:13 am
This is the first time i heard the ketosis,i think this is ueful for me.
Jack on Thu, 18th Mar 2010 1:16 am
Thanks for the great post!
print london on Sat, 27th Mar 2010 12:36 am
I agree with u guys this is very useful and i would like to recommend to the people thanks for sharing the info.
print london on Sat, 27th Mar 2010 12:36 am
well some posts are so informative that we get a feeling that we missed this information when we actually wanted it,
but this post is something i am looking for, thank you.
Scott Chiropractic on Tue, 13th Apr 2010 10:48 am
Great article!
tummy tuck on Fri, 16th Apr 2010 6:29 am
I was just searching for an information about Ketosis and you have given good description about it as it is easy to understand it.I came to know about ketones which healthy and highly efficient source of energy.I have improved my knowledge about ketosis from this post.
London day spa on Tue, 11th May 2010 12:38 am
The basis of many diets in the past was, “If you want to lose fat, you have to lower the fat intake to minimum.” That was also what the leading health institutes recommended. But in the last few years that thesis was proven wrong.
adam on Sun, 16th May 2010 7:29 pm
awesome, i just started my diet 2 days ago after i found out i have high triglicerides
Lalilulelo on Wed, 19th May 2010 11:38 am
Not counting calories?
Here’s what I thought:
- I thought the idea was to reduce calories intake which mostly came from carbs
- and that meat and veggies has calories too but not as much?
- Eat less than daily calories needs would then burn the fat (the ketones thing which made from fat)
Have I got wrong prespections? If so, would anyone kindly explain or correct my miss-prespections?
Houston personal injury on Mon, 24th May 2010 3:59 am
Well I don’t believe in such diet medicines.If you want to loose weight then you can do that by changing your life style little bit and doing some changes in food.
herbalife extravaganza on Wed, 9th Jun 2010 7:01 am
As you have rightly said knowing ketosis, tha thelps your body to use your fat stores for energy is often effective for yourhealthy living and loosing weight. Ketone Test Strips rightly is quite affordable (15 dollars)and effective also . It also helps u to stay in pink of health.
Gary on Mon, 14th Jun 2010 7:37 am
The only people who do not “believe” in a low carb diets are the same idiots who say things like “eat less”, “eat healthier”. Well this is eating healthy which studies have proven. When you lower calories your body keeps resetting the bottom line and you have to go lower and lower. So you have to constantly exercise and eat “less” to lose which is just stupid when you can go on low carb diets and exercise at a comfortable level. Look at animals, meat eaters are not fat but, omnivores and herbivores are fat as hell. Eating meat is the original diet of man, not eating refined foods, soda, vegetables/fruit “year round” etc.
Paul Larn on Fri, 25th Jun 2010 1:01 pm
Excellent blog. First time here for me. I think I will be coming here often.
Roger on Tue, 27th Jul 2010 11:34 pm
Can herbs or supplements help you control your diabetes? These 10 have shown some promise in lowering blood sugar, boosting insulin sensitivity, reducing high blood pressure and cholesterol, and more. Talk to you doctor before adding any new pill to your regimen, especially if it has the potential to lower your blood sugar. You may need to check your blood sugar more often and possibly have your doctor adjust your medication dosage. If you don’t see results after a month or two, stop wasting your money.
Herbs and Supplements for Diabetes
Talk to you doctor before adding any new pill to your regimen, especially if it has the potential to lower your blood sugar.
1. Gymnema Sylvestre
Main use: Lowering blood sugar
Typical dosage: 200 to 250 milligrams twice daily.
This plant’s Hindi name translates as “sugar destroyer,” and the plant is said to reduce the ability to detect sweetness. It’s regarded as one of the most powerful herbs for blood-sugar control. It may work by boosting the activity of enzymes that help cells use glucose or by stimulating the production of insulin. Though it hasn’t been studied extensively, it’s not known to cause serious side effects.
2. Bitter Melon
Main use: Lowering blood sugar
Typical dosage: 50 to 100 milliliters (approximately 3 to 6 tablespoons) of the juice daily.
The aptly named bitter melon is thought to help cells use glucose more effectively and block sugar absorption in the intestine. When Philippine researchers had men and women take bitter melon in capsule form for three months, they had slight, but consistently, lower blood sugar than those taking a placebo. Gastrointestinal problems are possible side effects.
3. Magnesium
Main use: Lowering blood sugar
Typical dosage: 250 to 350 milligrams once a day.
Magnesium deficiency is not uncommon in people with diabetes, and it can worsen high blood sugar and insulin resistance. Some studies suggest that supplementing with magnesium may improve insulin function and lower blood sugar levels, but other studies have shown no benefit. Have your doctor check you for deficiency before supplementing with magnesium.
4. Prickly Pear Cactus
Main use: Lowering blood sugar
Typical dosage: If you eat it as a food, aim for 1?2 cup of cooked cactus fruit a day. Otherwise, follow label directions.
The ripe fruit of this cactus has been shown in some small studies to lower blood sugar levels. You may be able to find the fruit in your grocery store, but if not, look for it as a juice or powder at health food stores. Researchers speculate that the fruit may possibly lower blood sugar because it contains components that work similarly to insulin. The fruit is also high in fiber.
5. Gamma-Linolenic Acid
Main use: Easing nerve pain
Typical dosage: 270 to 540 milligrams once a day.
Gamma-linolenic acid, or GLA, is a fatty acid found in evening primrose oil. Some research suggests that people with diabetes have lower than optimal levels of GLA, and studies have found that the supplement can reduce and prevent nerve pain associated with diabetes.
6. Chromium
Main use: Lowering blood sugar
Typical dosage: 200 micrograms once daily.
This trace mineral is thought to enhance the action of insulin as well as being involved in carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism. Some research shows that it helps normalize blood sugar — but only in people who are deficient in chromium.
7. Bilberry
Main use: Protecting the eyes and nerves
Typical dosage: 80 to 120 milligrams two times per day of standardized bilberry extract.
This relative of the blueberry contains powerful antioxidants in its fruit and leaves. These antioxidants, called anthocyanidins, seem to help prevent damage to tiny blood vessels that can result in nerve pain and retinopathy (damage to the eye’s retina). Animal studies have also suggested that bilberry may lower blood sugar.
8. Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Main uses: Easing nerve pain, lowering blood sugar
Typical dosage: 600 to 800 milligrams a day.
Called ALA for short, this vitamin-like substance neutralizes many types of free radicals. A build-up of free radicals, caused in part by high blood sugar, can lead to nerve damage and other problems. ALA may also help muscle cells take up blood sugar. In a German study, a team of scientists had 40 adults take either an ALA supplement or a placebo. At the end of the four-week study, the ALA group had improved their insulin sensitivity 27 percent. The placebo group showed no improvement. Other studies have shown a decrease in nerve pain, numbness, and burning.
9. Fenugreek
Main use: Lowering blood sugar
Typical dosage: 5 to 30 grams with each meal or 15 to 90 grams with one meal per day.
These seeds, used in Indian cooking, have been found to lower blood sugar, increase insulin sensitivity, and reduce high cholesterol, according to several animal and human studies. The effect may be partly due to the seeds’ high fiber content. The seeds also contain an amino acid that appears to boost the release of insulin. In one of the largest studies on fenugreek, 60 people who took 25 grams daily showed significant improvements in blood sugar control and post-meal spikes.
10. Ginseng
Main use: Lowering blood sugar
Typical dosage: 1 to 3 grams a day in capsule or tablet form, or 3 to 5 milliliters of tincture three times a day.
Known for its immune-boosting and disease-fighting benefits, this Chinese herb has several positive diabetes studies behind it. Researchers have found that ginseng slows carbohydrate absorption; increases cells’ ability to use glucose; and increases insulin secretion from the pancreas. A team from the University of Toronto has repeatedly demonstrated that ginseng capsules lower blood glucose 15 to 20 percent compared to placebo pills.
NOTE: I’ve dedicated my life to Educating Consumers on Natural, Organic, Supplements, Vitamins, Healthy Living, Natural Healing, Non-Genetically Modified, Non-Chemical Enhanced or anything we consume made from Un-Natural Sources. I’m asking anyone who reads my articles to post articles like it, or my articles on Great Blogs like this one to spread the word and help make people healthier. You can take credit for the articles, you can go to my Facebook Fan page and get information from there if you’d like or you can go to my store by clicking on my name above for information. I don’t mind if you use articles from my websites. The more we work together, the bigger the demand will be to grow more Natural and Organic Foods. We can’t beat big business and stop them from producing products that cause a vast majority of America’s Health problems because they’re after quanity and profits. Until they see the market shift and start losing money, they won’t change. That’s up to us and it’s time we demand better, safer, healthier supplements, vitamins, and food. We can show them, we the consumers are in control. That all starts with education and helping educate people who have not yet learned about these subjects. My Facebook Fan page is located at http:/www.Facebook.com/TreeHuggersOnline
Thanks and I’ll post new articles like this once per week!
Garage Repair on Wed, 28th Jul 2010 9:19 am
ketosis refers to the state of the human body when it lacks carbohydrates and starts to depend upon proteins, fat and muscle for its energy. That is how this kind of diet got its name.
Centro benessere Marche on Sun, 1st Aug 2010 7:41 pm
I don’t want to perpetuate the fiction that cholesterol is something to be avoided. There simply is no good reason to believe that dietary cholesterol causes health problems. Thanks for information. Keep blogging.
Rosetta Stone on Mon, 2nd Aug 2010 9:51 pm
Some studies suggest that supplementing with magnesium may improve insulin function and lower blood sugar levels, but other studies have shown no benefit. Have your doctor check you for deficiency before supplementing with magnesium.
juicy couture outlet on Tue, 3rd Aug 2010 1:00 am
You see, a large portion of diets out there rely on reducing calories. That’s all fine and dandy, and you’ll lose weight, but you have to keep in mind that you’re going to lose weight not only from fat, but also from lean muscle tissue.
phentermine 37.5 on Wed, 4th Aug 2010 11:50 pm
These is one of the great information to reducing the calories. If you want to lose the weight then it is really great. That supplementing with magnesium may improve insulin function and lower blood sugar levels, but other studies have shown no benefits.
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forex training on Sat, 7th Aug 2010 8:42 am
And the other, what he calls the myth of the vampire little carbohydrates. If this applies to all Inuit died of renal failure.
Bankruptcy on Mon, 9th Aug 2010 7:03 am
A ketone is a natural byproduct of metabolism. They are produced in the liver and the liver actually produces ketones all the time.
Ray Ban sunglasses on Mon, 16th Aug 2010 9:41 pm
it has no choice but to burn fat stores to maintain your energy level. The ketones that are created from the fat is what is being burned as energy, and they will quickly be turned into the primary source of energy.wow.really?
Health tips on Wed, 18th Aug 2010 12:08 am
Great post. I never knew this much about ketosis but just because of your shared article I become to know more. Your shared information is interesting. Keep sharing.
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Some studies suggest that supplementing with magnesium may improve insulin function and lower blood sugar levels, but other studies have shown no benefit.
vibram five fingers on Sat, 21st Aug 2010 8:24 pm
Thanks for the enlightenment. I never knew about the state of ketosis. I have been on a low carb diet many times and lost weight. Thanks a bunch for sharing. Keep blogging. Looking forward to reading your next post.
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Thanks for the article. My wife was on the Atkins diet and she used to suffer from what you described.
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This could be because exercising has used up the excess ketones or the urine is diluted from drinking a lot of water. This doesn’t mean these people aren’t burning fat, just that they aren’t registering as technically being in ketosis.
Dr. D N Moharana on Fri, 3rd Sep 2010 7:30 pm
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