Thread: LC Vetrans: I have a question about ketosis****

Do I have to be on LOW CARB (per say..restricting carbs that is) to be in ketosis??? Or does this happen with low fat? Low Cal?
Just curious about this...

Thanks!

can anyone help me with this?

Ketosis, or benign dietary lipolysis, is the result of switching to a fat burning, as opposed to carb burning, metabolism. It is certainly possible to excrete ketone bodies on a low fat/low cal diet, but one would have to be SO low cal as to be burning everything, more or less burning up your own tissues, for energy. It's called starvation.

In the absence of the generous protein and fat of a low carb diet, one is also burning one's own muscle tissue - including important muscles like cardiac muscle - if one eats little enough to acheive ketosis on a standard low calorie diet.

You might want to read Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution or Protein Power for a fuller explanation.

Maggie,
Thanks! I have read Dr. aktins' book more time than I can count, I don't remember the answer to this question in there.
I have been watching my calories and I have been getting all of the systoms of ketosis! Leg pain (lack of patassuim), foul breath, and quick weight loss. I know that I have a friend that went to the doctor and they said that there was ketones in her urine. She is pregnant too! She was scolded terribly. Now I know why!
Thanks

PQ,
Does this mean you are no longer following Low-Carb?

Summer,
NO just trying some diversity that is all.

She is pregnant too!

PQ, are you pregnant? Or were you just referring to your friend? If you ARE pregnant, you should consult with your physician about ALL dietary issues. Dr. Atkins does not recommend a very low carb routine for pregnant women.

After measuring my urine for ketosis for several months when I started Atkins nearly four years ago, I gave up. It never registered. However, I did lose regularly. I finally threw away the ketosis sticks, and decided to trust my scale and my measuring tape.
Just my opinio,
Peg

PQ,
The reason why I asked is that your question -- stated in such a way -- suggested that you were ONLY watching your calories. If you are still low-carb, then why wouldn't you think the lower carb intake to be causing the ketosis? I have NO problem with watching your caloric intake while following low-carb; indeed, the longer you have eaten this way, the more calories become an issue!
But your question presupposed that a low-calorie diet ALONE could cause ketosis, which is why I asked.

Did any of that make sense???
LOL!
And I agree with Peg; As long as you're losing weight & inches, that's the only proof you need!

Peg
Not pregnant! God No! I am one of the few people out there that doesn't want children! My friend is prego.

summer,
I can't seem to stay on low carb and I started watching the cal's instead and the weight is dropping off nicely, I just wondered if I could be in ketosis with just watching the cals?

Thanks!!

You won't stay in ketosis by just cutting calories unless your carbohydrate consumption remains very low--or at least very low according to how your body processes carbs. The so-called CCLL (critical carbohydrate level for losing in Atkins) varies widely from person to person.

However, low-calorie is the gold standard of weight management, and if it's working for you, go for it.

Barb L,
Thanks! I appreciate it. I guess at this point losing the 30 pounds that I so desperately want and need to lose is the key here. Yet, doing it the healthiest way too! Meaning Not starvating myself like I had done years ago to when I was 140 pounds and thought that I was "fat" I could spit purple at the thought of that. I remember dieting at 140 pounds( I am almost 5'7 btw)! and saying that I was fat and need to lose weight! Sad huh? I reminiced with a friend of mine the other day about this she too was the same weight at that time and she said, ya! well now we are in 16 jeans....! I giggled, yet was mad at myself for allowing myself to yo yo for too many years.
Oh well thanks again for the input!
PQ