ketosis - infromation found on website...

[jenpink]

SORRY ITS A BIT OF AN ESSAY COPIED IT FROM A WEDSITE OF INFO ON KETOSIS!

Ketosis occurs when the amount of carbohydrate fuel- the fuel that is needed to run the body - drops below a critical level, forcing the body to turn first to protein and then to fat reserves to do the work carbohydrates normally do. When protein is deflected in this manner, it releases nitrogen into the blood stream, placing a burden on the kidneys as they try to excrete excessive urinary water due to sodium loss. When fat is likewise deflected, the breakup releases fatty acids, or ketones, into the bloodstream, further burdening the kidneys. If ketosis continues for long periods of time, serious damage to the liver and kidneys can occur, which is why most low-carbohydrate, or ketogenic diets recommend only short-term use, typically 14 days. Many nutritionists caution their patients-especially women in the early stages of pregnancy-against following them at all.
Fasters experience a sensation of improved well-being and absence of bothersome hunger in the second or third day of a fast. Experts suggest that this feeling is due to a chain of reactions set off by the release of ketones. Ketones inhibit the release of insulin and the stress hormones. As a result, the blood sugar becomes more stable and hunger is calmed. Anxiety is reduced.
During ketosis the brain cells are calmed down enough to prevent epileptic seizures. The electrical activity of the brain, as measured on an electroencephalogram (EEG), is found to improve in regularity and intensity. Ketones, being acids, also tend to sterilize the urine against infection. They even dissolve certain types of kidney stones.
The low-carbohydrate diets that rely on ketosis for weight loss are termed ketogenetic diets. There is no question that ketogenic diets work. They can result in quick weight loss. Dr. Atkins' diet is and example of a diet based on ketosis produced by a very low carbohydrate intake.
There are several disadvantages and dangers of ketogenic diets. The most significant danger is the risk associated with ketosis itself. Pregnant women, alcoholics, or persons suffering from kidney or liver disease should never undertake a ketogenic diet.
Other side effects associated with ketogenic diets include temporary dizziness, headache, lethargy, weakness and, in extremis, diarrhea and nausea. In addition, a person on a diet extremely low in carbohydrates, fiber, and many vitamins and minerals is liable to feel cranky, sluggish, and deprived.
There are individual differences in the ability to tolerate the ketosis. More than half the people experience fatigue and mental dullness at the onset of ketosis. Some want to give up at once.
Even without reaching ketosis to the point where ketones appear in the urine, insulin activity is reduced and the formation of fat in the cells is slowed.
Lean people in particular have a poor tolerance for too low carbohydrates in the diet. A good measure of whether you should continue such a diet is how well you can keep your se1se of humor. If you're overweight to begin with, the chances are you'll be able to smile through four or five days on less than 30 grams of carbohydrates. Above this level is a transition point, what Dr. Atkins calls the "critical carbohydrate level," for at 60 grams of carbohydrate a day most people no longer are in ketosis. For majority of dieters, this level is associated with feelings of well-being. It is optimal.
It appears that the dieters can attain their nirvana without going full blast on ketosis, unless there is some medical reasons for quick weight loss. Diets such as South Beach Diet allow some complex carbohydrate intake to prevent the dangers of ketosis.

[harriet2]

If ketosis continues for long periods of time, serious damage to the liver and kidneys can occur, which is why most low-carbohydrate, or ketogenic diets recommend only short-term use, typically 14 days.


so no postives at all just scary stuff?! where was this from jenni?

[fattothin]

I though that too :-(

[jenpink]

kinda got me bit scared too! but they always say bad things about diets!
its from www.holisticonline.com/Remedies/weight/weight_ketones-and-ketosis.htm

i posted it to see what other things people had been told, altough my mum does the atkin (same idea) and shes been on it for 4 months but loads of times previous and she has had no probs!?!

[jenpink]

sorry guys really did not mean to scare you was just wondering wat people said bout this, i actually think its just something they put to put people off the kind of diets that use fast weight loss, when actually there are more PROVEN problems caused by being overweight!
i am not goin to let it bother me it was mainly for the info on how its works i used it as i se many people asking how its works etc

[Shazpaz]

I had heard this before when I was on the Atkins diet. That is why I was worried for Tracy as she only has one kidney. I do get aching back from time to time! Makes you wonder!!!

[jenpink]

im sure they would not be able to get doctors to asign people to diets like this is there was major health risks! i know a few people doing it thru there doctors and therefore am reassured

[Shazpaz]

That is the saving grace with this diet...the fact that we are monitored weekly.

[Sweetpea]

[quote=jenpink;525584]
Fasters experience a sensation of improved well-being and absence of bothersome hunger in the second or third day of a fast.


As a result, the blood sugar becomes more stable

hunger is calmed.



Anxiety is reduced.

During ketosis the brain cells are calmed down enough to prevent epileptic seizures.

The electrical activity of the brain, as measured on an electroencephalogram (EEG), is found to improve in regularity and intensity.


Ketones, being acids, also tend to sterilize the urine against infection.


They even dissolve certain types of kidney stones.

There is no question that ketogenic diets work.

They can result in quick weight loss.


If you're overweight to begin with, the chances are you'll be able to smile through four or five days on less than 30 grams of carbohydrates.

For majority of dieters, this level is associated with feelings of well-being. It is optimal.

It appears that the dieters can attain their nirvana without going full blast on ketosis, /quote]


Did you read a different post to me? - I see all of the above (about half of the post) as the positives. The post then went on to the negatives giving what I would consider to be a well-balanced informative article on ketosis.

I'm not being horrible but it sounds like some of you just latched onto the negative aspects. Maybe just a reflection on how you are feeling at present?

We all need to be aware of both positive and negatives in any decision in life and I think this article is quite good and it will help anyone suffering the side effects to understand that they are possibly to be expected.

[ScotsDistraction]

deleted

[jenpink]

scots - got it on the head! thats exactly the attitude to have,and also how i look at it!

swetpea, thats also how i took the thread as a well balanced infoguide on ketosis,

[Shazpaz]

Did you read a different post to me? - I see all of the above (about half of the post) as the positives. The post then went on to the negatives giving what I would consider to be a well-balanced informative article on ketosis.

I'm not being horrible but it sounds like some of you just latched onto the negative aspects. Maybe just a reflection on how you are feeling at present?

We all need to be aware of both positive and negatives in any decision in life and I think this article is quite good and it will help anyone suffering the side effects to understand that they are possibly to be expected.

Its not a case of focusing on the negatives. If comments like:

further burdening the kidneys. If ketosis continues for long periods of time, serious damage to the liver and kidneys can occur, which is why most low-carbohydrate, or ketogenic diets recommend only short-term use, typically 14 days

are true then people need to be aware of it. Especially people like Tracy who has one kidney!

I agree with Scots.........spot on comment!!!!

[Sweetpea]

Its not a case of focusing on the negatives.

I was originally referring to Harriet2's quote of "so no positives then just scary stuff" but by the time I'd posted so many others had responded that I had to edit my post by taking out her quote and changing it around a bit.

That said I still feel that it needed pointing out that the article is well-balanced between positives and negatives.

Also. if someone only has one kidney then presumably they will have to have gained permission from their GP to go on CD? I would hope that both the CDC and the GP would have fully explained ketosis to them and given them appropriate advice for their condition. Presumably that is why the process of permission from a GP for specific health issues is in place.

[skinnymongoose]

Hi all,
Firstly I am not a medical expert of any kind. But as the mother of two Type 1 diabetics I have done a lot of reading about ketosis.

As I understand it, ketosis is dangerous in the complete absence of insulin in the bloodstream. This happens only in undiagnosed or very poorly controlled Type 1 diabetics, who produce NO insulin and are therefore dependent on injected insulin or they die, within days usually, as a result of developing ketoacidosis, which leads to diabetic coma and death. Insulin in the blood prevents ketoacidosis from occurring.

I suppose a Type 2 whose disease has progressed to the point where their pancreas had virtually stopped producing insulin might also be adversely affected. However, healthy non-diabetics will not develop ketoacidosis and as a general rule should tolerate ketosis without serious problems. Of course they could have other health issues which mean ketosis is inadvisable.

I notice the quoted passage says that 'Ketones inhibit the release of insulin'. I would suggest that it is the reduction in carbs that does this, because that is the main function of insulin. Ketones are a by-product of fat burning, as far as I know they do not act on the production of insulin, they are the end product of the whole process.

I also understand that kidney problems on ketogenic diets such as Atkins are usually caused by excessively high protein levels, but I may be wrong here, as I don't know much about kidney probs.

I hope I have not been too confusing, and remind all readers again that I am not an expert of any kind, just trying to help, but feel free to ignore me!
SM

[harriet2]

i was only voicing my opinion which as a british citizen i think you will find i am still entitled to!

basically its up to the individual if they wish to do this diet which we are obviously all doing and reaping the benefits from already.

i feel that having given my opinion im being 'got at' in this instance and i really dont appreciate that.