What is ketosis and how can it help with weight loss

[ffviifan]

I know that the keto diet is similar to Atkins in that it is an ultra low-carb diet, but what about keto makes it helpful with weight loss? I know it has something to do with ketosis, but what is that and why does it work?

[ChristySmiles]

Ketosis is a process that occurs in the body when it does not have a sufficient amount of carbohydrates to burn for energy. Without them, it burns fat and creates ketones, which it uses as fuel instead. So it works well for weight loss (as long as you can keep it up) because it burns actual fat. It doesn't have to go through burning carbs as fuel first. That's why weight loss tends to be quick and it is real. Problem is, you need to keep your body in a state of ketosis to continue enjoying the benefit, which is easier said than done, because all it takes is eating too many carbs one day to ruin everything and then you'll need to start all over again.

[legendarytroy]

Getting your body to a state of ketosis also isn't typically fun. During the few days or week it can take to get there, you can feel terrible, like you're sick, which is why this period is often nicknamed the "Keto Flu". So, remember that each time you need to put your body back in that state, you'll likely go through that rough patch every time. Ketosis certainly helps you to burn real fat fast, it's just not worth it for most people.

[kellykatt]

You have to go through a "keto flu" to get your body to ketosis levels...um, why does anyone want to follow this diet?

[ffviifan]

Ketosis is a process that occurs in the body when it does not have a sufficient amount of carbohydrates to burn for energy. Without them, it burns fat and creates ketones, which it uses as fuel instead. So it works well for weight loss (as long as you can keep it up) because it burns actual fat. It doesn't have to go through burning carbs as fuel first. That's why weight loss tends to be quick and it is real. Problem is, you need to keep your body in a state of ketosis to continue enjoying the benefit, which is easier said than done, because all it takes is eating too many carbs one day to ruin everything and then you'll need to start all over again.

Thanks for the information! This is what I was looking for. :)

legendarytroy I didn't know about that, either! Thanks for that info, too!

kellykatt I have to agree with you...I'm not so sure I would want to follow a diet where part of it makes you feel unwell. Plus, if a diet has to make you feel unwell before it works as it should...isn't that a sign that maybe it's not the best for your body?

[tracy1976]

Thanks for the information! This is what I was looking for. :)

legendarytroy I didn't know about that, either! Thanks for that info, too!

kellykatt I have to agree with you...I'm not so sure I would want to follow a diet where part of it makes you feel unwell. Plus, if a diet has to make you feel unwell before it works as it should...isn't that a sign that maybe it's not the best for your body?

Lots of diets can make you feel unwell...even cutting sugar out of your diet can make you feel agitated and grumpy. It's not so much about picking a diet that won't make you unhappy, but choosing one that you're the most likely to follow. I just wanted to point that out because so many people complain about keto and keto flu as if there is no other diet out there that doesn't have an "ick" phase. Typically, you can expect things to be challenging while your body adjust to any new diet.

[antoniojones1968]

Lots of diets can make you feel unwell...even cutting sugar out of your diet can make you feel agitated and grumpy. It's not so much about picking a diet that won't make you unhappy, but choosing one that you're the most likely to follow. I just wanted to point that out because so many people complain about keto and keto flu as if there is no other diet out there that doesn't have an "ick" phase. Typically, you can expect things to be challenging while your body adjust to any new diet.

Thank you for saying that. I'm not a personal fan of keto by any means, but that doesn't mean that I think it's a bad diet for everyone. Every change in diet, regardless of how restrictive, requires some level of sacrifice. It still requires you to exercise control over your choices about what you put in your body and how much of it you can consume. Even if you don't get "keto flu", you'll still suffer though the misery of having cravings you need to ignore, etc. Find what diet works for you, keto or something else. If it works for you, it's not wrong.

[Paplo]

Thank you for saying that. I'm not a personal fan of keto by any means, but that doesn't mean that I think it's a bad diet for everyone. Every change in diet, regardless of how restrictive, requires some level of sacrifice. It still requires you to exercise control over your choices about what you put in your body and how much of it you can consume. Even if you don't get "keto flu", you'll still suffer though the misery of having cravings you need to ignore, etc. Find what diet works for you, keto or something else. If it works for you, it's not wrong.

That's how I feel. Also, sometimes the only way I can find out if something doesn't work for me is if I try it myself first. Sometimes what I think will be great I don't end up liking once I do it and sometimes what I think won't be great, ends up being my preferred choice.