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How effective is the Ketogenic diet?
Anicamarais
Posts: 46 Member
Is this diet healthy and will your body really become a fat burning furnace? What are your views?
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Replies
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You should search. This has been covered 20 times in the last week probably and hundreds of times on this board. You can find your answers there.
Yes, you burn more fat when you eat keto. You also consume more dietary fat as well so it's a wash.
My view on keto is that it is too restrictive for the average person and pointless for those without a medical condition where keto may help. It is a fad diet at this point in the sense that so many people have some preconceived notion that it is magical.5 -
Apparently the brain prefers fat for fuel rather than glucose from sugar and carb!!!2
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Anicamarais wrote: »Apparently the brain prefers fat for fuel rather than glucose from sugar and carb!!!
No. The brain cannot utilize ketones at all; it must use glucose. However, people who are in ketosis can metabolize glucose from ketones (although it is an inefficient process). The body runs more efficiently on glucose and will always preferentially utilize glucose as opposed to synthesizing it.5 -
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I did it for months and it didn't work for me. I followed all the rules, tweaked it, counted calories and macros to a T, and nothing past the first week's loss. Everyone is different. I love eating that way though. It's easily sustainable for me but I just don't lose weight.0
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sweetbug0130 wrote: »I did it for months and it didn't work for me. I followed all the rules, tweaked it, counted calories and macros to a T, and nothing past the first week's loss. Everyone is different. I love eating that way though. It's easily sustainable for me but I just don't lose weight.
Weight loss is all about calories. I could eat a diet of 100% Twinkies & lose weight.......as long as I were eating fewer calories than my body burns throughout the day. That's not a healthy way to lose weight but it would happen.
Lack of weight loss comes from: incorrect food logging, incorrect activity level, water weight fluctuations, or incorrect exercise calorie burns. If you were doing all of the above correctly and still not able to lose weight.....see a medical doctor.
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10179969/weight-loss-flow-chart-2-0/p13 -
sweetbug0130 wrote: »I did it for months and it didn't work for me. I followed all the rules, tweaked it, counted calories and macros to a T, and nothing past the first week's loss. Everyone is different. I love eating that way though. It's easily sustainable for me but I just don't lose weight.
Weight loss is all about calories. I could eat a diet of 100% Twinkies & lose weight.......as long as I were eating fewer calories than my body burns throughout the day. That's not a healthy way to lose weight but it would happen.
Lack of weight loss comes from: incorrect food logging, incorrect activity level, water weight fluctuations, or incorrect exercise calorie burns. If you were doing all of the above correctly and still not able to lose weight.....see a medical doctor.
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10179969/weight-loss-flow-chart-2-0/p1
That's an incorrect assumption. I did all the above exactly with keto and didn't lose. As soon as I add back in carbs, my weight drops. I logged everything perfect, weighed everything, had a heart rate monitor, and accounted for water weight... nothing. Don't assume everything works for everyone, that will give someone the wrong information and expectations.1 -
sweetbug0130 wrote: »That's an incorrect assumption. I did all the above exactly with keto and didn't lose. As soon as I add back in carbs, my weight drops. I logged everything perfect, weighed everything, had a heart rate monitor, and accounted for water weight... nothing. Don't assume everything works for everyone, that will give someone the wrong information and expectations.
False. You were logging improperly.
Unless you're one of the X-men whose super power is defying the laws of physics, few calories = weight loss. Health is about macros/micros; weight loss is about calories. A calorie is a unit of energy. Less energy coming in means more energy used from fat.
This is incredibly basic science that people inexplicably love to debate. Your post is akin to saying the earth is flat because you walked all the way to the end of it. No, you didn't.
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Well I suppose keto does not work for everyone.. I've lost some weight and been on keto for almost a month... I feel great and my energy levels are insane!! And as for my mental clarity, never been better.. my concentration levels are so much better..3
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Anicamarais wrote: »Apparently the brain prefers fat for fuel rather than glucose from sugar and carb!!!
Incorrect.0 -
Anicamarais wrote: »Well I suppose keto does not work for everyone.. I've lost some weight and been on keto for almost a month... I feel great and my energy levels are insane!! And as for my mental clarity, never been better.. my concentration levels are so much better..
And no one said it doesn't work. You just made a few claims that weren't true. Glad you found a way of eating that works for you.0 -
Come check out the Low Carb group. We are all very supportive and welcoming: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/394-low-carber-daily-forum-the-lcd-group5
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I think you'll find very few people who maintain a keto diet for more than a few months. Any diet that restricts types of food is doomed to a high failure rate.
Cutting out carbs is not a magic formula that will make you thin all of the sudden. Stay in a healthy (not too low)calorie deficit, exercise, and have patience. The weight will come off, you can eat any type of food(as long as you stay in a deficit) and it will be much easier to maintain when you get to a weight you are comfortable with.1 -
I think you'll find very few people who maintain a keto diet for more than a few months. Any diet that restricts types of food is doomed to a high failure rate.
Cutting out carbs is not a magic formula that will make you thin all of the sudden. Stay in a healthy (not too low)calorie deficit, exercise, and have patience. The weight will come off, you can eat any type of food(as long as you stay in a deficit) and it will be much easier to maintain when you get to a weight you are comfortable with.
Again, not true. What is sustainable is highly variable between different people. I believe there are quite a few people in the low carb group who have sustained keto far longer than a few months (more like years).
OP, if you're just looking for like minded ketoers, I'd check out the group linked above.2 -
Anicamarais wrote: »Well I suppose keto does not work for everyone.. I've lost some weight and been on keto for almost a month... I feel great and my energy levels are insane!! And as for my mental clarity, never been better.. my concentration levels are so much better..
If you look at longer term studies, weight loss on keto vs any other diet plan comes out the same. You lose more early on with keto because you dump water and glycogen. And no...your brain does not prefer fat over glucose. Your body in general prefers glucose as fuel and uses it efficiently...keytones work, but it's a less efficient process...this is why you will see many endurance athletes do some training in a state of ketosis to get the body used to using fat a little better...but when they actually get into competition they're pumping the carbs...'cuz glucose.1 -
xmichaelyx wrote: »sweetbug0130 wrote: »That's an incorrect assumption. I did all the above exactly with keto and didn't lose. As soon as I add back in carbs, my weight drops. I logged everything perfect, weighed everything, had a heart rate monitor, and accounted for water weight... nothing. Don't assume everything works for everyone, that will give someone the wrong information and expectations.
False. You were logging improperly.
Unless you're one of the X-men whose super power is defying the laws of physics, few calories = weight loss. Health is about macros/micros; weight loss is about calories. A calorie is a unit of energy. Less energy coming in means more energy used from fat.
This is incredibly basic science that people inexplicably love to debate. Your post is akin to saying the earth is flat because you walked all the way to the end of it. No, you didn't.
Because you spoke, you must be right. I am one of the X-men. Thanks for telling my secret.5 -
Anicamarais wrote: »Is this diet healthy and will your body really become a fat burning furnace? What are your views?
@Anicamarais the answer to your questions seems to vary greatly from one person to another.
The ketogenic way of eating has given me and my kids hope for a brighter future. Ankylosing Spondylitis has been in my family for many generations and testing positive for HLA-B27 factor is common.
Two years ago after dealing with AS for 40 years my health was crashing fast. The doctors wanted me to start on Enbrel injections to beat down my immune system which intuitive sounded like a bad idea when he covered some of its side effects. After 40 years of Rx meds my stomach was a mess and the IBS was worse than bad.
On a hunch I left sugar and all grains and in just 30 days my subjective pain level dropped from 7-8 of about 40 years duration to 2-3. Uncontrollable carbs faded away. Six months in the 40 years of IBS was fully resolved. I was able to walk well and get in and out of cars unaided finally and much more.
I am down 50 pounds without trying to lose weight with high hopes for the future at the age of 65. Lab work proves per my MD that the ketogenic way of eating works for me. Our teenage kids have seen the positive changes in my life and should AS become active in them they know how the ketogenic worked for me being eye witnesses.
Will a ketogenic way of eating be healthy for you and will your body really become a fat burning furnace is a question no honest person can answer Yes or No today on MFP. Over time you can try it if you wish and learn the facts in your case.
The first year it made my total cholesterol jump 200 points but by the end of the second year it was back into a healthy range for a 65 year old male.
Pre LCHF (two years ago) labs were:
Total Cholesterol - 226
HDL - 38
LDL - 146
Triglycerides - 209
9 months of LCHF (one year ago) labs were:
Total Cholesterol - 404
HDL - 56
LDL - 323
Triglycerides - 121
17 months of LCHF (24 Aug 2016) labs were:
Total Cholesterol - 257
HDL - 63
LDL - 186
Triglycerides - 36
Best of success and keep in mind there is no one but you that can answer your questions but only after you try it. The first year was a steep learning curve for me and I am still tweaking but in my case it is good for my body and my mind per my MD.3 -
sweetbug0130 wrote: »sweetbug0130 wrote: »I did it for months and it didn't work for me. I followed all the rules, tweaked it, counted calories and macros to a T, and nothing past the first week's loss. Everyone is different. I love eating that way though. It's easily sustainable for me but I just don't lose weight.
Weight loss is all about calories. I could eat a diet of 100% Twinkies & lose weight.......as long as I were eating fewer calories than my body burns throughout the day. That's not a healthy way to lose weight but it would happen.
Lack of weight loss comes from: incorrect food logging, incorrect activity level, water weight fluctuations, or incorrect exercise calorie burns. If you were doing all of the above correctly and still not able to lose weight.....see a medical doctor.
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10179969/weight-loss-flow-chart-2-0/p1
That's an incorrect assumption. I did all the above exactly with keto and didn't lose. As soon as I add back in carbs, my weight drops. I logged everything perfect, weighed everything, had a heart rate monitor, and accounted for water weight... nothing. Don't assume everything works for everyone, that will give someone the wrong information and expectations.
This is literally the first time I've seen someone say it that way around. Usually they go the other way.
However they are right. It's about the calories. It's easy to miscalculate on keto if you're not one of the people who gets satiated on it so quickly they don't need to count calories. Be 10 grams off on your oil and you have almost 100 calories more in than you thought.3 -
The Keto diet for me has been a game changer. I agree that it may not work for some, but I also believe that for some it is the diet that will work best.
I first started researching the Keto diet because I was told it can be helpful for other health issues, not just weight loss, specifically helping with inflammation.
I started Keto in March and have experienced so many benefits. My energy level is up, my mind seems clear and more focused, my inflammation from RA has improved, and I have lost 45lbs.
While this diet is restrictive, the foods you do eat are wonderful and satisfying. In my opinion, any "diet" is restrictive... If you are just going by CICO, you are still restricting calories which in itself knocks out a lot of things people would otherwise enjoy.
The bottom line is that each individual has to find what works for them and in my opinion KETO is definitely worth a try to at least find out if it is what works best for you.7 -
Anicamarais wrote: »Is this diet healthy and will your body really become a fat burning furnace? What are your views?
it is a tool to get into a calorie deficit, no more, no less. Your body burns fat in a calorie deficit regardless of what eating method you choose.4 -
sweetbug0130 wrote: »sweetbug0130 wrote: »I did it for months and it didn't work for me. I followed all the rules, tweaked it, counted calories and macros to a T, and nothing past the first week's loss. Everyone is different. I love eating that way though. It's easily sustainable for me but I just don't lose weight.
Weight loss is all about calories. I could eat a diet of 100% Twinkies & lose weight.......as long as I were eating fewer calories than my body burns throughout the day. That's not a healthy way to lose weight but it would happen.
Lack of weight loss comes from: incorrect food logging, incorrect activity level, water weight fluctuations, or incorrect exercise calorie burns. If you were doing all of the above correctly and still not able to lose weight.....see a medical doctor.
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10179969/weight-loss-flow-chart-2-0/p1
That's an incorrect assumption. I did all the above exactly with keto and didn't lose. As soon as I add back in carbs, my weight drops. I logged everything perfect, weighed everything, had a heart rate monitor, and accounted for water weight... nothing. Don't assume everything works for everyone, that will give someone the wrong information and expectations.
so you ate in a calorie deficit and gained weight? you do realize that, that violates the universal laws of math and physics?4 -
I think you'll find very few people who maintain a keto diet for more than a few months. Any diet that restricts types of food is doomed to a high failure rate.
Cutting out carbs is not a magic formula that will make you thin all of the sudden. Stay in a healthy (not too low)calorie deficit, exercise, and have patience. The weight will come off, you can eat any type of food(as long as you stay in a deficit) and it will be much easier to maintain when you get to a weight you are comfortable with.
Head over to the low carb boards. Plenty of people who have being doing keto for years.
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I tried keto because I read how great it was for people with PCOS. Unfortunately, it did not help me at all. Granted, it might have been because I don't have much to lose, or that I have a history of eating disorders (so my hormones are all kind of wacky anyway), but I just couldn't stay with it. I also couldn't get past the idea that eating nothing but meat and cheese is healthy but I have to regulate my fruit and veggies (which I LOVE). I managed it for a few months, but that was it, and can't say I felt an increase in my energy or any of the other great benefits commonly associated with keto.1
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I think you'll find very few people who maintain a keto diet for more than a few months. Any diet that restricts types of food is doomed to a high failure rate.
Cutting out carbs is not a magic formula that will make you thin all of the sudden. Stay in a healthy (not too low)calorie deficit, exercise, and have patience. The weight will come off, you can eat any type of food(as long as you stay in a deficit) and it will be much easier to maintain when you get to a weight you are comfortable with.
Again, not true. What is sustainable is highly variable between different people. I believe there are quite a few people in the low carb group who have sustained keto far longer than a few months (more like years).
OP, if you're just looking for like minded ketoers, I'd check out the group linked above.
I highly recommend you to join the low carb group. The guys there are great and supportive. Some has been Keto for years. The success stories are insane. True, Keto does not work for everybody but for a lot of people it really is a game changer.
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sweetbug0130 wrote: »sweetbug0130 wrote: »I did it for months and it didn't work for me. I followed all the rules, tweaked it, counted calories and macros to a T, and nothing past the first week's loss. Everyone is different. I love eating that way though. It's easily sustainable for me but I just don't lose weight.
Weight loss is all about calories. I could eat a diet of 100% Twinkies & lose weight.......as long as I were eating fewer calories than my body burns throughout the day. That's not a healthy way to lose weight but it would happen.
Lack of weight loss comes from: incorrect food logging, incorrect activity level, water weight fluctuations, or incorrect exercise calorie burns. If you were doing all of the above correctly and still not able to lose weight.....see a medical doctor.
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10179969/weight-loss-flow-chart-2-0/p1
That's an incorrect assumption. I did all the above exactly with keto and didn't lose. As soon as I add back in carbs, my weight drops. I logged everything perfect, weighed everything, had a heart rate monitor, and accounted for water weight... nothing. Don't assume everything works for everyone, that will give someone the wrong information and expectations.
so you ate in a calorie deficit and gained weight? you do realize that, that violates the universal laws of math and physics?
Or, possibly, something about eating keto changed calories out just enough to mean she was eating maintenance, but maintenance was lower than expected. One can log perfectly, but if one's target is incorrect you get the same result as with incorrect logging. Especially if the target deficit is very small. Only way to know for sure would be to drop calories further.1 -
It can be as healthy as any other diet...Anicamarais wrote: »Is this diet healthy
With keto you eat more fat so you will be burning more fat from the food you eat. That said, if you don't maintain a deficit it will not be from stored body fat...Anicamarais wrote: »will your body really become a fat burning furnace?2 -
It works. If you're interested in it, just do some research over at /r/keto and the many other communities and try it out.0
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The diet can be very healthy, especially if you focus on whole or minimally processed foods. Many in the Low Carber Daily group, linked above, had their cholesterol and CAD risk improve, insulin resistance reverse, and for most it was a great tool for losing weight.
It only takes a few day to get into ketosis but it takes a few weeks to months to become keto or fat adapted. At that time you do become a fat burning machine of sorts. Your body learns to prefer fats for most of it's fuel, and glucose needs will drop, from around 130g to as low as 40g per day, which the liver can readily provide even if you choose to eat no carbs at all.
Exercise is where you can see higher levels of fat oxidation the most. The FASTER study shows this well. http://www.metabolismjournal.com/article/S0026-0495(15)00334-0/abstract?cc=y=
Of course, to lose weight one must be in a caloric deficit. Some people (especially those with insulin resistance/metabolic syndrome) find eating in ketosis makes achieving that deficit much easier.
I lost 40lbs in under 5 months to hit the middle of my BMI range. I've been eating this way for around 15 months now, I guess.
That is largely true once you are fat adapted.Anicamarais wrote: »Apparently the brain prefers fat for fuel rather than glucose from sugar and carb!!!
Rat study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2874681/Anicamarais wrote: »Apparently the brain prefers fat for fuel rather than glucose from sugar and carb!!!
No. The brain cannot utilize ketones at all; it must use glucose. However, people who are in ketosis can metabolize glucose from ketones (although it is an inefficient process). The body runs more efficiently on glucose and will always preferentially utilize glucose as opposed to synthesizing it.
That's incorrect. The brain can use ketones, and it is used daily in people who fast at night. When one becomes keto adapted, the brain begins to use less glucose even for it's base needs. True, it will always use some glucose, but the liver can always provide what the brain needs even without eating any carbs.
Ketones are thought to be theraputic for illness (epilepsy and Alzheimers) and brain injury (stroke and concussion). The longer one uses ketones the more the body seems to prefer it as a fuel.
A discussion in Scientific American on ketones brain benefits: http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/mind-guest-blog/the-fat-fueled-brain-unnatural-or-advantageous/4
This discussion has been closed.
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