Question:
An Article About Ketosis

Ketosis: Is it safe? Why do some people say it's dangerous? On July 7, 2002, the New York Times published "What if It's All Been a Big Fat Lie?" written by Gary Taubes. I quote the article: " 'Doctors are scared of ketosis,' says Richard Veech, an N.I.H. [National Institutes of Health]researcher who studied medicine at Harvard and then got his doctorate at Oxford University with the Nobel Laureate Hans Krebs. ''They're always worried about diabetic ketoacidosis. But ketosis is a normal physiologic state." "Simply put, ketosis is evolution's answer to the thrifty gene. We may have evolved to efficiently store fat for times of famine, says Veech, but we also evolved ketosis to efficiently live off that fat when necessary. Rather than being poison, which is how the press often refers to ketones, they make the body run more efficiently and provide a backup fuel source for the brain. Veech calls ketones ''magic'' and has shown that both the heart and brain run 25 percent more efficiently on ketones than on blood sugar." You can read the full article at www.nyt.com. Being in ketosis means your body has burned a large amount of fat in response to the fact that it didn't have sufficient glucose available for energy needs. Under everyday conditions, the carbohydrates you eat are converted to glucose, which is the body's primary source of energy. Whenever your intake of carbohydrates is limited to a certain range, for a long enough period of time, you'll reach a point where your body draws on its alternate energy system, fat stores, for fuel. This condition called dietary ketosis, means your body burns fat and turns it into a source of fuel called ketones. Ketones are produced whenever body fat is burned. When you burn a larger amount of fat than is immediately needed for energy, the excess ketones are discarded in the urine. Dietary ketosis is among the most maligned and misunderstood concepts in nutrition because it is often confused with ketoacidosis, which is a life-threatening condition most often associated with uncontrolled insulin-deficient Type 1 diabetes. In the Type 1 diabetic, the absence of insulin leads to a toxic build-up of blood glucose and an extreme break-down of fat and muscle tissue. This condition doesn't occur in individuals who have even a small amount of insulin, whether from natural production or artificially administered. Dietary ketosis, however, is a natural adjustment to the body's reduced intake of carbohydrates as the body shifts its primary source of energy from carbohydrates to stored fat. The presence of insulin keeps ketone production in check so that a mild, beneficial ketosis is achieved. Blood glucose levels are stabilized within a normal range and there is no break-down of healthy muscle tissue. The most sensitive tests of ketosis ("NMR" and "blood ketone level") show that everyone is in some degree of ketosis every day, particularly after not eating overnight and after exercising. Ketosis is the body's survival system. It is not an abnormality nor does it present any medical danger, except to a Type I insulin-dependent diabetic. The body functions naturally and effectively while in a state of dietary ketosis. Some of the benefits many people experience while in a state of dietary ketosis for intentional weight loss may include rapid weight loss, decreased hunger and cravings, improved mood, increased energy and, as long as protein intake is adequate, protection of lean muscle mass.    — Amy S. (posted on August 15, 2002)

August 15, 2002
I do appreciate you bringing this article up, however, the point I have been trying to make is to many of the weight-loss obsessed people in this world. Ketone levels arise when there is an imbalance in fat metabolism, such as occurs in diabetes mellitus and starvation. Which is clearly what the article has stated. I am sure that this debate will continue. I will make my last case and point. Urine ketones signal a need for CAUTION in adult patients WITHOUT diabetes. This is straight from my 2002 edition of my nurses quick reference. I see it this way, they debated for years about the benefits/risks or HRT, and now look where they are. Was it such a good idea to go against nature? Also, we are not living in a culture where we have to starve. Why should we put the undue stress on our bodies (which is what past studies have shown) when we can eat a balanced diet? We are not forced, as in other countries, to resort to certain foods. Our carbohydrates not only perform the "primary" source of fuel for cellular processes, but also spares protein, and prevents "metabolic disorders" resulting from excess fat utilization. The article is quite the contrary. I know that very often when we are rapidly losing we do detect traces of ketones in out urine (this has been my case), but there are so many people out there who think the more the better. We are telling them ketosis is a good thing, and they are breaking their necks to hit purple. I know this isn't the case with everyone, but especially people new to this site everyday or those who trust the educated ones to give the good advice. I will not tell them that ketosis is an entirely safe thing because of what years of studies show it can lead to. As far as our diets go post-op, I recommend getting in the amounts set by your physician/dietitian. Get protein first, then your others (carbs, fruits, veggies), drink your milk especially if you are a woman. It doesn't matter is you are child-bearing age of menopausal, we need that natural calcium for our bones if we are able to drink it. God did not create breast milk for no reason. Anyway, I am getting too long winded, but I could not walk away without making this point. My intent is not to anger anyone, especially the poster. I appreciate that so many are researching so thoroughly...medicine is evolving at a wonderfully rapid rate.
   — Tina B.

August 15, 2002
Interesting you brought that article up. Because there was also a small piece done on "DATELINE" NBC that mentioned Ketosis. And there was a nutritionist or doctor worried saying that yes, ketosis now can make you lose weight fast, but they were worried for people later on in life. Because they said it could cause a premature heart attack in 5-10 years? Did anyone else catch that? I really don't know much about the subject, i just saw the show...
   — Lezlie Y.

August 15, 2002
I didn't see the show, but when I asked my doctor about the effects on the kidneys, he EMPHASIZED the effect on the heart.
   — Tina B.