Atkins Diet Misconceptions: Ketosis versus Ketoacidosis

Additional contact methods:
Twitter: bowulf
Blog: http://www.network-admin.net
IM or Skype: Contact Me First
How to Atkins Diet TV:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/how-to-atkins-diet-tv

This is the next one in my series of Atkins Diet Misconceptions where I combat all myths and misunderstandings regarding low carbing. Another one of the oft-misunderstood low carb concepts is the whole difference between ketosis and the diabetic condition of ketoacidosis. It should be rather clear what the difference is between the two:
* one affects low carbers who are eating very few carbs and have consequently low to normal blood sugar levels
* one affects almost strictly Type 1 diabetics who can't produce any or enough insulin for their hyperglycemia (very high blood sugar)

Even though they sound the same and both involve ketones in the blood, they are dramatically different in terms of severity and cause. Here are the amounts I spoke of in the video:
Dietary ketosis vs. diabetic hyperketoacidosis
Normal state: 0.1 mmol/L
Overnight fast: 0.3 mmol/L
Ketogenic diet: 1-3 mmol/L
21 day fast: 10 mmol/L
Uncontrolled diabetes: more than 25 mmol
You can see where the uncontrolled diabetic has nearly 10-20 times the millimoles of ketones in their blood as the ketogenic diet follower.

Ketosis is safe natural state for the body to be in. Many hunter and gatherers were in a ketogenic state for most of the winter months. It is simply the body's reaction to burning fat for fuel, and ketones are the normal by-product of that reaction. Everyone is in some state of ketosis every day.

Additional info:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000537YG?ie=UTF8&tag=atkdiehowtovi-20&...
http://www.ilpi.com/msds/ref/ketosis.html
http://www.lowcarbportal.com/archives/categories/low_carb_ketosis/index.php

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Atkins
• Diet
• Low
• Carb
• Bowulf
• Ketosis
• Ketoacidosis
• Same
• Different
• Obesity
• Fitness
• Weight
• loss

[mrsmommy81]

BTW...one of the things that amazes me about you is that you don't have all the loose skin from losing 200+ pounds! I'm sure you've worked really hard working out & toning up, but I didn't realize it was possible without surgery to firm up as much as you did. That is pretty amazing!

[bowulf]

@mrsmommy81 I credit the diet rich in essential fats and proteins that helped as well. Many times when you see the sheets of loose skin, it is blamed on too fast weight loss. I think it is usually mislabeled as too little protein and fat as you were losing weight on their low Calorie diet. The body wants to repair as much as possible the damage you've done.

My stomach may never be perfect, but then again I have lots of physical blemishes. What's one more? :-D It could have been much worse.

[mrsmommy81]

Thanks so much for doing this video! This is really helpful. My ketones levels were between the two "large"...my husband said he read that there is no such thing as being "deeper" into ketosis than others...he said you're either in it or you're not & if your strip is darker than another person, it is simply due to the concentration of the urine. I wonder if this is correct.

[bowulf]

@mrsmommy81 You have a wise husband. (gotta support the guys doing the diet :-) ) What he says is correct. Essentially once you reach ketosis, your body is burning fat and geared towards consuming fat to fuel itself. While darker numbers are perhaps more positive reenforcement, even lighter numbers are ok. It's similar to pregnancy -- you test when the concentrations are highest (morning and perhaps least hydrated).

[1sashenka]

Thank you! That puts my mind at ease :)

[bowulf]

@1sashenka I am glad I could help.

[mrsmommy81]

@bowulf Awesome, that is great to know!!

[mrsmommy81]

@bowulf LOL My hubby will love to hear that!! Thanks for verifying that:)

[bowulf]

@DISCIPLEofFIGHTNIGHT Sorry, a BS only means you have passed necessary courses. I am happy to acknowledge your deficiency in knowledge. Take care.

[DISCIPLEofFIGHTNIGHT]

@bowulf I am not obligated to site my sources because I have received a formal education in biochemistry and understand it well enough not to be burdened w/ research, whereas you do have an obligation since your B.S. seems to have been in BS, read a 1090 page organic chemistry book describing ketones and then get back to me... take care