Ketogenic.....opinions/experiences etc.

ShannonKirton

So when I first started paleo about 2.5 months ago, I had weight to lose and obviously went ketogenic to try and drop the weight as quickly as I could. Long story short, it worked and it worked well. Then I decided maybe I should up my carbs slightly to say 65 or so grams a day and get out of ketosis as I've read on MDA that extended ketosis can cause issues.

While on my slightly higher carb (and calorie) plan, not only did I have trouble getting my carbs up to that number (because I just wasn't used to it and am no longer a fan of carby foods), but I also felt sluggish, heavy and generally "bla". My carbs went from less than 50g a day to about 65g and my calories from 1500 to 1800.

I have since gone back to my 1500 calorie plan with less than 50g of carbs per day and feel better. Is there a reason that I cannot continue to stay in ketosis for a long period of time? Some days I eat maybe 20g of carbs while other days I eat about 50g. Any advice would be much appreciated. I feel just fine when I eat very little carbs so I'm thinking it may not be an issue.

kiramaniac

I've been doing keto for about a year. I feel the best I've ever been. I'm somewhat of a lurker on this forum, as I'm more of a keto girl than paleo / primal. But I see primal as a possible approach for maintenance when I get to goal.

The anti-low carb groups will say it's unhealthy. That you need carbs to function. Fortunately more research is now coming out about use of ketogenic diets long term - real data, not just opinions. Here's a recent article on various research concerning the health benefits of a ketogenic diet: http://www.nature.com/ejcn/journal/v67/n8/full/ejcn2013116a.html

Phinney and Volek's "Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Living" may be a good read for you.

ShannonKirton

That's quite a read, but skimming through it, it does seem to have some very good info on ketogenic living. I don't feel too bad about it then. I just (obviously) want to make sure that I'm doing the best for myself and my body.

After all, that's why we are all here isn't it?

justaspoonfulofsugar

I have been off and on with ketogenic paleo and feel the best when I eat like this.
I am currently doing the whole 30 on Auto Immune Protocol.
I eat as many veg as I want(no tracking)and also eat sweet potatoes and butternut squash and I am still in ketosis.
I plan to eat this way for a long time.I know when I increased my carbs above 50 grams,I started craving sugar again..not what I wanted.
I think as long as you eat loads of veggies there shouldn't be an issue eating like this as long as you listen to your body and give it what it needs

ShannonKirton

You know anjelevil, now that you mention craving sugar, I've noticed the same reaction.

When I increase my carbs I do want more sugar, and I'll do damn near anything to get it. Perfect example; this weekend (food out of my control) I had a hotdog for lunch. Right next to the hot dog was a batch of cookies. Normally on any given day, I am able to sit down next to those cookies and not take a single crumb, but on Saturday after eating the hotdog in the bun, I could not control myself and took some cookies. But this is not the first time I've been unable to do it. When I carb up, it is a noted difference.

Ketogenic all the way!

Akimajuktuq

Supposed experts seem to confuse "ketosis" with "ketoacidosis". There is NO HARM from a long term ketogenic lifestyle. In fact, I would argue that it is THE normal human state... before we started to slave in the fields, growing grains, and making war.

I have been ketogenic for 13 months. There were a couple holidays during that time, but I was out of ketosis for only a short time. The health problems that I resolved with a ketogenic lifestyle are MANY; most notably binge eating disorder, obesity, pre-diabetes, chronic pain of all kinds, severe depression and anxiety. I am not sick and I am not deteriorating. I am increasing my carbs a little, but plan to stay at 10% of my calories maximum, which is about 40 grams of carbs... but I still don't aim to get that many. lol

ShannonKirton

Thanks Akimajuktuq. I agree that it was most likely the way humans were before and they also had binges when a large animal was caught etc. It kind of works like our holidays I guess!

I'm pretty sure that after doing my research I'll stay ketogenic unless something drastic changes for the worse. Being back on my previous plan now, it has only been 2 days but I feel back to normal and awesome.

Jasmine_James

Jimmy Moore has been in a ketogenic state for over a year now. He eats 85% fat / 12% protein / 3% carbs. He talks quite a bit about the benefits on his site (here's a good post: http://livinlavidalowcarb.com/blog/jimmy-moores-n1-experiments-nutritional-ketosis-day-61-90/15125) but he doesn't divulge all because I believe he's working on a book about it.

Anyway, there are many people (like Jimmy Moore and Akimajuktuq) who have been in ketosis for a very long time and have only seen health improvements as a result.

Personally, I've been in and out of ketosis during 2013 and when I'm out, all the side effects that caused me to start eating this way in the first place return -- depression, anxiety, cravings, binge eating, sleeping trouble, weight gain, etc.

ShannonKirton

Thanks for the link Jasmine_James. I have not been out of ketosis for very long at any point, but when I was I certainly felt worse off for it which is what makes this an easy choice for me. It's why i switched back so quickly.

I was worried you see, because people kept telling me I was getting too skinny, and if I lost any more weight I would "drop through my *kitten*" etc. I must admit that I don't see it, because when I look in the mirror I see healthy weight, more self esteem and I love it. Now I don't pay attention to those people and pass it off as simple jealousy.