Ketosis info online

[sistertzu]

Does anyone know of a good explanation of ketosis online?

My Sons friends have been feeding him incorrect info about ketosis being bad and harmful and I would like to give him the right info. I haven't found to much online. Perhaps someone knows. Thank you!!!

[drjlocarb]

Give them this ABOUT KETONES-BIOCHEM 101 and let them digest it.

[sistertzu]

Oh thank you so much!!!

[ravenrose]

in addition, make sure he knows there are two types of ketosis (may be more, not like I'm a biochem person!) ketoacidosis is a dangerous state diabetics can get into with very high blood sugars. it is TOTALLY unrelated to the ketosis we have. that is where the confusion stems.

[DeltaSierra]

I just had to have this discussion with one of my instructiors as she keeps saying that ketosis is a very bad metabolic disorder, and I had to point out to her that she means diabetic ketoacidosis is, but ketosis is actually a very DESIRABLE metabolic state to be in. She didn't agree LOL.

Understanding Ketosis vs Ketoacidosis

Some people believe that ketosis and ketoacidosis are the same condition, but these are two different conditions related to the body's metabolism. Learning the differences between ketosis vs ketoacidosis will help to dispel myths surrounding their cause and diagnosis.

What is Ketosis

Ketosis is a state in which the body starts burning fat for energy due to lack of new glucose in the diet. Althugh ketosis is commonly seen in individuals participating in a low-carb diet, it is also seen in people suffering from a lack of insulin as well as prolonged periods of fasting or starvation.

Carbohydrates provide the body with glucose. The pancreas secretes a hormone called insulin that works with the glucose in the bloodstream to provide energy to the body's organs and cells. When the glucose supply is exhausted, it begins to break down stored fat to meet its energy needs for normal functioning. The accumulation of ketone molecules in the blood make it extremely acidic. This irritates the kidneys, which flush out ketones through urine.

Ketosis gets its name from the ketones that are produced in the liver - this is a process of breaking down glycogen so that it can be used by the body. In a healthy person, the amount of fat that is burned and ketones that are produced is tightly controlled, causing no harmful side effects. Dietary ketosis seen in those participating in low-carbohydrate diets can be quite helpful in losing weight, as fat is burned in the entire process to gain energy. As ketosis is usually a diet-induced process, it isn’t harmful, unlike ketoacidosis, which is a life-threatening condition.

What is Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a condition afflicting mainly type 1 diabetes patients who suffer from hyperglycemia as a result of lack of insulin. Inadequate insulin levels result in the failure of the body to utilize blood glucose as a fuel source; rather, to compensate the decreased energy levels, the body starts breaking down fat, resulting in ketones. Without insulin to control the amount of ketones produced during this process, an excessive amount is produced. The high concentration of ketones coupled with heightened blood glucose levels causes the blood to become significantly acidic.

As a result of high blood sugar levels and inadequate insulin, acidic ketones create chemical imbalance in the body and produce life-threatening symptoms and can even cause death.

[metqa]

some people advocating low carb, not naming names, are actually claiming that the slight acidification of the blood by the ketones, themselves are causing acidosis. But that's not right either. Yes, ketones do raise the pH to more acidic, but that is not uncontrolled acidosis by any means. The acidosis that is dangerous is from blood sugar that cannot be removed, and the sugar itself is causing damage as well as the acidity of the blood from the sugar AND ketones causing damage. Ketones alone would not cause damage.

Sugar alone can cause damage without ketones in the blood.

It's kinda like when Dr. Oz asked if HCG contributed to cancer. a type of HCG is a Marker for certain cancers but doesn't CAUSE the cancer. Ketones are an indication of ketoacidosis, but does not CAUSE ketoacidosis. the Cause was already happening before the ketones arrived but most people don't know problems are happening till the body is forced to produce ketones. Then they realize that there has been a problem with elevated sugars and lack of insulin, which occurred much sooner than the ketones were produced.

[sistertzu]

Thanks for all the info. I was thinking that they may have gotten the two processes confused.

[sorenkkg]

Just wanted to give a IRL story that happened recently and was amusing to me:

I had a UTI, so I went to the doctor-- I saw whoever was available, not my own regular GP-- but it was a young woman, a bit younger than me. Cool.

So, after discussing my symptoms, she did the dip stick test in the urine sample-- I was looking over her shoulder, and noticed the dip stick had at least 5 spots on it-- I saw the cannister, and saw what the deep colors would be-- and I wasn't getting any of them.
Ok-- well, I was drinking a ton of water to flush the UTI out, so that's good.

Guess what did "pop" on the test? Ketones The whole stick was pale and there was a nice medium plum color in the middle.

The Dr was like, well, it's very dilute so we'll send it for culture... um, you did pop for ketones.... and looked at me, and I was like, Yep, I do low carb-- and I don't want to hear about it I'm not diabetic (not even close, despite my weight) and that pink spot is a good thing for me to see

[sistertzu]

To funny!!

[wicked]

great explanation from Dr. Eades:




The Blog of Michael R. Eades, M.D. » Metabolism and ketosis

[sistertzu]

Thank you wicked, great info I will surly pass it on.