You have probably heard the term “Ketosis” thrown around allot lately but few really know what it is or why you might want to be “in Ketosis”. Quite simply Ketosis is a process where our body begins burning fat for energy. Ketones (ketone bodies) are molecules created during the fat burning process that our body then uses for energy in place of glucose from the carbohydrates in our diet. So if a person changes their diet from a normal American high glycemic diet (High Carb & High Sugar diet) to a diet that does not replenish the bodies glycogen stores, the body goes begin to enter ketosis. It can take about 48hrs for the body to make the switch from glucose to ketones which is why the first few days of low carb, low glycemic diets can be somewhat challenging.
Some ketones (acetoacetate and ß-hydroxybutyrate) are used for energy in the body with some organs notably the heart and kidneys actually prefering ketones to glucose. However one type of ketone molecule, called acetone, is not used by the body and is excreted in the urine and breath (which can sometimes cause a breath odor). The acetone that is excreted in the urine can be detected using a test strips commonly called by the brand name Ketostix. Available at most drugstore these test strips can be used to test if your body has entered into a state of Ketosis. Keeping track while dieting can be very helpful and can be a great source of encouragement.
Why have I heard that Ketosis is a bad thing?
There has been a great deal of misinformation over the years about the levels of glucose required by the body. This has led to concerns that those on low carb diets or so called Ketogenic Diets are in danger of not having enough glucose in their bodies. However, there is quite simply too much medical, dietary, and anthropological evidence that people on reduced carbohydrates diets are not negatively impacted by the lack of high glucose levels and in many ways even benefit from it. As such it is hard to accept the glucose level concerns as valid.
It is interesting that our bodies can’t break fat down into glucose but they can convert some of the protein we eat into glucose. It does so with out causing sudden fluctuations in blood glucose levels.
What does this mean for the HCG Diet?
The HCG Diet is classified as a Ketogenic Diet due to its strict dietary restrictions that cuts out virtually all carbohydrates.
What can I expect from being “in Ketosis”?
Weight Loss, to put it simply. However during the first 2-5 days you may experience some bothersome ketosis symptoms such as:
– Tiredness or fatigue – Leg Cramps – Headache – Feeling thirsty all the time – Bad breath – Metallic taste in the mouth – Weakness – Dizziness – Nausea or stomach ache – Sleep problems
However, you can do things to help lessen the symptoms:
1. DRINK LOTS AND LOTS OF WATER!!! Since excess Ketones are flushed out through the urine the more you urinate the less Ketones are built up in your blood. This in turn with trigger your body to burn more fat to make more Ketones and thus result in more weight loss. So the put it crudely “The more you Pee the more weight you Lose!”
2. Snack Regularly and spread out your meals though the day.
3. Take a quality Multi Vitamin Supplement and Mineral Supplement daily.
