Keto diet!

cbelc2 wrote: »

Ok. I looked on WebMd, one of my trusted sources. A Ketogenic diet can become dangerous if ketones build up. It can lead to dehydration and change the chemical composition of the blood. I still say your doctor should be involved.

From WebMD -
Low-Carb and Ketogenic Diets
Ketosis is a popular weight loss strategy. Low-carb eating plans include the first part of the Atkins diet and the Paleo diet, which stress proteins for fueling your body. In addition to helping your burn body fat, ketosis can make you feel less hungry. It also helps you maintain muscles.

For healthy people who don't have diabetes and aren't pregnant, ketosis usually kicks in after 3 or 4 days of eating less than 50 grams of carbohydrates per day. That's about 3 slices of bread, a cup of low-fat fruit yogurt, or two small bananas. You can start ketosis by fasting, too.

Doctors may put children who have epilepsy on a ketogenic diet, a special high-fat, very low-carb and protein plan, because it might help prevent seizures. Adults with epilepsy sometimes eat modified Atkins diets.

Some research suggests that ketogenic diets can help lower your risk of heart disease. Other studies show specific very-low-carb diets help people with metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. Researchers are also studying the effects of these diets on acne, cancer, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and nervous system diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Lou Gehrig's disease.

Also -

People with diabetes can get ketoacidosis, or diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), when they don't take enough insulin. They can also get DKA when they're sick or injured, or they don't get enough fluids and become dehydrated.

Some people without diabetes can get ketoacidosis, too. It's caused by alcoholism, starvation, or an overactive thyroid. A healthy low-carb diet shouldn't cause a problem.


http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/type-1-diabetes-guide/what-is-ketosis?page=1

I thought that your warnings needed context.

yarwell wrote: »

cbelc2 wrote: »

One should work with a doctor for keto. It can be great for quick weight loss, but it has been known to cause kidney damage in some folks.

. . . .

People with diabetes can get ketoacidosis, or diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), when they don't take enough insulin. They can also get DKA when they're sick or injured, or they don't get enough fluids and become dehydrated.

Some people without diabetes can get ketoacidosis, too. It's caused by alcoholism, starvation, or an overactive thyroid. A healthy low-carb diet shouldn't cause a problem.


http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/type-1-diabetes-guide/what-is-ketosis?page=1

I thought that your warnings needed context.

Now this I didn't know. Thanks for sharing. Would it be as easy as keeping a glucose monitor around if one with these issues continued a keto lifestyle, I wonder?I only ask for sake of conversation. You never know when it'll come up haha. Plus you know some people won't go to the doctor, even if they knowingly have a dangerous condition to begin with.

cassandranken wrote: »

People with diabetes can get ketoacidosis, or diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), when they don't take enough insulin. They can also get DKA when they're sick or injured, or they don't get enough fluids and become dehydrated.

Some people without diabetes can get ketoacidosis, too. It's caused by alcoholism, starvation, or an overactive thyroid. A healthy low-carb diet shouldn't cause a problem.


http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/type-1-diabetes-guide/what-is-ketosis?page=1

I thought that your warnings needed context.

Now this I didn't know. Thanks for sharing. Would it be as easy as keeping a glucose monitor around if one with these issues continued a keto lifestyle, I wonder?I only ask for sake of conversation. You never know when it'll come up haha. Plus you know some people won't go to the doctor, even if they knowingly have a dangerous condition to begin with.

Are you diabetic, starving or an alcoholic? I've only read about out of control T1's and ketoacidosis, not anyone with controlled diabetes. The starving & alcoholic risk factor was news to me.

Ketoacidosis needs both extremely high glucose and ketones at the same time. Your body has built in methods to avoid ketoacidosis occuring unless you have some other pretty severe health issues. It isn't really relevant to ketogenic dieting.

TehLaughingDog wrote: »

Hey everyone! I was actually just about to post up a question about ketosis then saw this thread! I've been wanting to jump in on the keto diet and have generally been eating low carb for a while but not into ketosis since I am insulin resistant from PCOS (so low carb has been recommended by my doctor) and also always seem to get bloated after eating carbohydrates. I always am hesitant though to put my carb percentages so low (whats it, like 5% for ketosis) since I get concerned about not eating enough fruits/veggies/nuts/etc and cholesterol levels getting high. I've heard that when figuring out carbs for ketosis you calculate your true carbohydrate percentages by removing your fiber. Also I get concerned about mental prowess with extremely low carb because I am in college as well.

Can anyone elaborate on this any more for me? And could anyone dispel my concerns about dropping carbohydrate percentages so low so I can feel more informed about if I want to jump into ketosis?

Yes, those in ketosis usually keep carbs around 5%. That can still be a few helpings of veggies per day, but does not include much fruit. Fruit has a higher sugar content so one serving of fruit will add a large amount of sugars to your day, relatively speaking. Nuts, especially higher at nuts, fit very well into a LCHF.

Cholesterol is usually improved on a ketogenic diet. HDL goes up, triglycerides go down, and LDL stays about the same but usually changes to the large, fluffy pattern a type. I personally don't put much stock in cholesterol though, it's link to CAD is pretty weak.

Some people count carbs after fibre is subtracted but I don't. It is just simpler. Fibre becomes a nonissue for most eating a ketogenic diet because increased fats aids in elimination.

I found my cognitive skills increased by a shocking amount when i ate a ketogenic dietI was more energetic, could concentrate better, and slept better. It was quite an amazing change that even my husband noticed. It may not occur in the first few days or weeks when you are switching to ketosis, you could end up tired and cranky then. If you up your salt to 3000-5000 mg per day, it will help you feel better faster.

Good luck!

cbelc2 wrote: »

I really do think that individuals should at least let the primary care doctor know about their weight management plans.

I do not raise it personally, to avoid encountering a doctor who makes the same errors as you and goes off on one about an irrelevant condition like DKA. Once I said I was losing weight and that was put down as a symptom !

cbelc2 wrote: »

I really do think that individuals should at least let the primary care doctor know about their weight management plans. Personally, I told my doctor that I do better and feel better with 100-130 grams of healthy carb per day. So my diet is not 'balanced' per se. She is just happy that I eat healthy and am losing weight. MFP really is my pal!

Most doctors know very little about nutrition. And in general, I'd recommend staying away from WebMD (anytime I search symptoms it tells me I have cancer).

You have raised several concerns for people with underlying diseases (although neither of them had to do with keto). And diabetics know all about keto acidosis and people with kidney problems should know not to eat high protein diets.

Now, I don't follow keto and I'm not a fan of extreme diets (such as severely limiting one macro), but there's no reason to fear monger about it.

cbelc2 wrote: »

Ok. I looked on WebMd, one of my trusted sources. A Ketogenic diet can become dangerous if ketones build up. It can lead to dehydration and change the chemical composition of the blood. I still say your doctor should be involved.

You're talking about ketoacidosis. Do you have a link of where you found your information on WebMd? Because I did a search for "ketogenic diet" and I didn't find it.

This might help @patricialcyoung http://lowcarbuk.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/atkins-for-vegetarians.html

Sit down and figure out where you're going to get say 100 grams of protein from with a low carb content as that's the biggest issue I see with vegetarian low carb. Confine your eating to an 8 or 10 hour window too.