What is Ketosis ? And is it a good thing for long term weight loss ? I'm going to attempt to answer both questions by sharing my own experience of Ketogenic diets. I was coming into my late twenties, I had a lot of stressful things happening in my life stressed with work related issues and city life in general, I had been living in the city for a good few years which is never good for me as I'm a country boy born and bread, I always end up somehow being more unhealthy in the city with all the distractions around and all the food and drink you can consume with ease of access just over your door step, but I finally ended up moving back to the country and I wasn't happy with how I was looking or feeling something had changed and it was the first opportunity I had to really reflect on it and decided to do something about it. I'm also not a great cook in the kitchen and I find it hard to discipline myself with my diet I was a fairly fussy eater as a kid but not as bad as some. So after looking on the web I came across a well known diet named after a south English city with a very well known university lol, and I was directed to my local "qualified" Ketosis diet "practitioner" luckily only a few miles up the road lol she was a lovely woman invited me into her house and I explained that she was only a ten minute walk from where I grew up at my mums house so we got to know each other fairly well being from the same area , she started providing me with the information and my sachets of "food", which amounted to a very nice porridge for breakfast and milk shake for lunch and soup for dinner lol. The weight most definitely came off and once "Ketosis" kicks in roughly after about three days you do feel very fresh and light on your feet as your body is detoxing due to the fat stores being burned by the very low carbohydrate diet essentially forcing your body to use fat stores as your main source of carbs which in turn releases a good amount of energy after a few initial days of feeling drained due to your low carb intake. Ketosis is the process of limiting carbs to a point where your body puts itself into a state of emergency and starts to burn the fat it has stored for a rainy day in case you are some how stuck in a desert without food , it's a survival mechanism of sorts.
It was very easy to stick with though once you were on it as with this particular version of Ketogenic diet you are making your stomach used to no longer having solid foods, and because of this in a weird way you adapt to not really wanting them and your stomach adapts too. Unfortunately the thing I found on this particular diet is that if I cheated at all and bought a packet of nuts or crisps or was at a friends house and had a biscuit or any solid food for one I would start eating solid foods again for a few days until I disciplined myself back onto the sachets, but I also realised that by eating solid foods or any small amount of carbs you will snap your body back out of Ketosis and it will then take another 2-3 days for you to get back into Ketosis, so for this reason I wouldn't go back on this type of restrictive diet, but that's just me personally. What I also realised is that messing around with this triggered metabolic state of your body is not good and it will end up with you putting on more weight in the long run and storing more fat than you did before if abused , I'm sure there is more accurate scientific research you can find out regarding this on google but it's something to consider when you are contemplating restrictive Ketosis diets. Now with that said I do believe Ketosis and Ketogenic diets in general are healthy and safe if done properly with full understanding of what it is and perhaps as a kick starter method to an overall healthy life style.
In the realm of nutrition and wellness, ketosis has become a buzzword over the years. Interestingly, the Eskimo, also known as the Inuit people, offer a fascinating and historical example of the potential benefits of ketosis. Living in harsh, frigid climates where carbohydrates were scarce, the Eskimo's traditional diet was naturally ketogenic. Let's delve into the concept of ketosis and how the Eskimo's lifestyle can inspire us to understand and utilize this metabolic state for improved health and energy.
Here's some scientific explanation I found online : What is Ketosis?
Ketosis is a metabolic state that occurs when the body shifts its primary fuel source from carbohydrates to fats. In a typical diet, carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, which the body uses as its main energy source. However, in a low-carbohydrate or fasting state, the body begins to break down fats into molecules called ketones, which can be used as an alternative energy source when glucose is limited.The Eskimo's Traditional Diet:
For thousands of years, the Eskimo thrived in the Arctic regions, where vegetation and plant-based foods were scarce. Their diet primarily consisted of fish, marine mammals, and animal fats, which are inherently low in carbohydrates. This diet's macronutrient composition naturally induced ketosis, helping the Eskimo adapt to their challenging environment and sustain their health and energy levels.
Hey I'm back lol Now I have another somewhat funny story about Ketosis, I would visit a friend of mine on a weekly basis and his girl friend one day noticed I had lost some weight and she was asking me about my diet and how it had happened etc, so I actually told her I had been doing the insanity challenge and running and playing tennis again which had been a contributing factor to my weight loss at the time, but both my friend and her were gamers and they didn't really have time to be more active as they both worked full time and she studied also during the week for Uni and they were quite house bound most of the time she didn't really seem to wear much make up or go out either and that type of thing, so I mentioned my whole experience with ketosis just as a topic of conversation and she had never heard about it. She became very intrigued so I tried to explain the best I could and we discussed what carbs were etc and well we then probably went on to talk about games or what tv shows we were both watching and this always used to piss my friend off as I always seemed to have more things in common with his gf than he did especially when it came to tv shows we always watched the same shows and would talk relentlessly about what's going on lol Anyways I left that day and I think it had been maybe two or three weeks since the last time I had been round and I swung by to see how they are doing and my god his gf had dropped a lot of weight and she was also wearing make up and I hardly recognised her, I was like wow you have changed a lot, and she went on to say yes thank you I looked into ketosis and started following it and It has been really good, so I began asking her how and what she had done with her diet etc and she said she had started eating burgers lol I was like what ? Really ? You have to be joking, and she was like nope that's what I'm doing I enjoy different meals but I love burgers especially and have them most nights of the week, so it turns out she explained she has burger with some veg on the side with cheese on her burger with tomato sauce as usual but just without the bun, so I was amazed and it made me laugh as she had completely done her own thing when it came to her diet and it worked for her, she continued to enjoy or even double down on the foods she enjoyed and just removed the carbs from any dish she normally had. So this goes to show you that actually a Ketogenic diet can be something you can really make work for you in your own way and can be the new way you approach what you eat , a long with a good exercise routine it can make for a very good over all life style , even if you lapse you won't have to change too much to your diet to get back into shape as long as you are staying active.
Below I will leave some very good information on Ketogenic diets and also links to a quiz designed to help you create your own Keto diet whether you are male or female.
I will also include links to a Keto Diet Menu and Recipe Book for you to inspire you to cook some Keto inspired dish's. Thanks for your time and I hope you have enjoyed reading my article and my personal stories about Keto Diets, hopefully it's been both informative and entertaining. Good luck with your new life style. Dave x
Health Benefits of Ketosis:
Weight Loss: Ketosis has gained popularity as an effective way to promote weight loss. When the body burns fat for fuel, it can lead to reduced body fat and improved body composition.
Enhanced Mental Clarity: Many people on a ketogenic diet report increased mental clarity and focus. Some researchers speculate that ketones may provide a more stable and efficient energy source for the brain.
Controlled Blood Sugar: Ketosis may benefit those with insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes, as a low-carb diet can help stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce the need for insulin.
Increased Energy and Endurance: As the body becomes efficient at using fat as fuel, it can provide a steady supply of energy, making it beneficial for endurance activities.
Appetite Control: Ketosis has been associated with reduced hunger and fewer cravings, making it easier for some individuals to maintain a calorie deficit.
Modern Implementation of Ketosis:
While the Eskimo's diet was naturally ketogenic due to their geographical and environmental constraints, modern-day individuals can intentionally induce ketosis through various approaches, including the ketogenic diet and intermittent fasting. The ketogenic diet typically involves consuming a high-fat, moderate-protein, and low-carbohydrate ratio to keep the body in a state of ketosis.
Important Considerations:
Personalization: Not everyone may benefit from a ketogenic diet, and individual responses can vary. It's essential to consult with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian before making significant dietary changes.
Nutrient Balance: When following a ketogenic diet, it's crucial to ensure you are still getting essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Including a variety of nutrient-dense foods is essential for overall health.
Sustainability: Ketogenic diets can be challenging to maintain long-term, and some people may experience adverse effects like energy loss during the initial transition period.
The Eskimo's traditional lifestyle provides an intriguing example of how the human body can adapt to a low-carbohydrate, ketogenic state for survival in challenging environments. While the modern implementation of ketosis through the ketogenic diet offers potential health benefits, it is crucial to approach it with a well-informed perspective, considering individual needs and overall nutritional balance. By drawing inspiration from the Eskimo and understanding the science behind ketosis, we can explore this metabolic state as a tool for optimizing health and energy in our modern lives.
This Keto Diet Quiz Helps You Tailor Your Keto Recipe Diet For Both Male And Female.
Custom keto Recipes For Any Appetite , Trial Available To Try It Out !
KeyTone Supplement To Help The Ketosis Process.
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