What is Ketosis?
Ketosis is the metabolic process whereby the body converts fat stores into body fuel.
In normal circumstances, the body uses glucose as its main form of body fuel or energy. Our bodies source glucose from dietary carbohydrates including sugar, breads, starchy foods, pastas etc. by digesting and converting carbohydrates into glucose. Glucose is then either used as body fuel or is stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen. Glycogen can be converted back into glucose by the liver if blood glucose levels drop.
When dietary carbohydrate intake is restricted and the body is not able to source sufficient glucose for body fuel, it will use stored glycogen. Once glycogen stores are depleted the body begins to metabolise stored body fat for body fuel. Ketone bodies (ketones) are a by-product of this metabolism (fat break down) process. Ketones can be used by the body in place of glucose for body fuel. Ketosis describes the metabolic state whereby the body converts fat stores into energy, releasing ketones in the process.
How does nutritional ketosis start?
The body will begin ketosis only after
1. Dietary carbohydrate intake is restricted to approximately 60grams per day, and as a result 2. Glycogen stores are depleted.
Typically these 2 steps take approximately 2-4 days at which point the body begins to metabolise stored body fat for body fuel.
Continued carbohydrate restriction is essential to maintaining ketosis, because the addition of dietary carbohydrates over 60 grams per day will provide the body with enough body fuel to revert back to using glucose as its main source of body fuel – thereby stopping the fat metabolism.
The benefits of ketosis weight loss
Lose Fat
By entering into a state of ketosis, your body is using stored body fat for fuel, resulting in fat loss and weight loss.
Rapid Results
Restricting calorie and carbohydrate intake leads to faster weight loss than calorie restriction alone.
Hunger Free
Ketosis is a popular method for fat and weight loss partly due to the appetite suppressing effects associated with it. Once your body adjusts and begins ketosis the presence of ketone bodies typically suppresses your appetite.
Testing for ketosis.
Any ketones produced by the body that are excess to requirements (i.e. not used for body fuel) are excreted by the body in bodily fluids including urine, saliva and sweat. As a result a simple urinalysis test can be done with commercially available products such as Ketostix® to test for ketosis. A positive test result indicates the presence of ketones in urine which means the body is metabolising fat stores.
Additionally, as a result of ketone excretion through saliva and breath a person may have a metallic taste and bad breath while in ketosis, which can be easily addressed with sugar free breath mints and increased fluid intake.
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Whether you want to lose weight, maintain weight loss or put an end to creeping weight gain, a plan is crucial for success.
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Select from our range of VLED products, to use in our plans or as part of a calorie controlled diet.
Healthy Hub
Recipes, tips, support guides and more – your personal information centre for all things weight management.
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