“What is Ketosis” is a question many people ask, especially when dieting and fitness become a part of their daily routine. Ketones are the fuel that your body uses to give you energy when you do not have carbohydrates or fat stores in your body. Your body will use other proteins and vitamins to replenish the ketones in your liver and intestines. Ketones are produced by your body but they cannot be manufactured by your brain.
People that suffer from ketosis are the ones that go through difficult weight loss routines and dieting. The ketones are broken down into fatty acids, which then enter the bloodstream as part of the waste product. The excess ketones float around in the blood and are picked up by the liver, which stores them until they are ready to use. Your liver will break them down into usable energy and you will have no problem losing weight if you use the extra ketones.
Some of the diseases and conditions that can cause ketosis include diabetes mellitus, AIDS, cancer, kidney failure, dehydration, osteoporosis, Parkinson’s disease, thyroid disorder, epilepsy, triglycerides, acid dyspepsia, and multiple sclerosis. Ketosis can also occur as a side effect of certain drugs including chemotherapy, oral contraceptives, and antibiotics. Other illnesses that can cause ketosis include anorexia nervosa, irritable bowel syndrome, bulimia nervosa, restless leg syndrome, diabetes, kidney failure, and hyperglycemia. The only thing to remember is that ketosis is not a disease in itself, but more of a symptom that could be the result of some other illness. You should get a diagnosis from your doctor to make sure.
Your body is capable of producing ketones without having to use fat stores. The ketones however will not be high in sugar, rather they will be relatively low in sugar. Because ketones are made using your own body fat stores, when you reduce your calorie intake and your carbohydrate consumption, your body will have no choice but to go into the fat-burning mode. The fat cells in your body will then release ketones into your bloodstream in order to replenish themselves. As your body enters into this fat-burning mode, your brain will then signal your brain to reduce the level of serotonin, a neurotransmitter in your brain that has a role in coordinating your moods and your appetite.
It should be noted that ketosis and its symptoms are sometimes mistaken for a diabetic condition. While a diabetic will experience frequent urination, increased thirst, and hunger, and will go through excessive workouts, a ketosis sufferer will have none of these symptoms. In addition, a ketosis sufferer may not have a low blood sugar level. A true diabetic sufferer will exhibit symptoms like these when they have their blood sugar levels too low. A person with diabetes will experience ketosis if he or she eats too much carbohydrate, but it’s typically only for short periods of time as the body adjusts to the new diet.
People who are on a ketosis diet usually only do it for one day at a time. They may even fast for weeks or months at a time, only eating certain foods, and can expect severe cravings after the diet. However, if you have your doctor recommends you eat more carbs than you normally would while on the diet, it can actually be a healthy thing as your body will be eliminating excess sugar and burning some of the fat reserves it has.
Most people agree that the biggest side effect of ketosis is the breath. People on ketosis diets breathe a great deal more than normal. It’s not necessarily because they’ve had too much food or drink. In fact, most people find they breathe just fine when they’re on the diet. The change in bodily functions that occurs is due to the body burning off the excess sugars and ketones instead of using them as energy.
If you have medical concerns already, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, you should discuss your diet with your physician first. Your doctor can help you determine whether or not a ketosis diet is right for you based on your specific body chemistry. However, ketosis is known to have an effect on both diabetic and non-diabetic people alike, despite the difference in their body chemistry. It’s important to keep your body’s glucose levels in check and to stay away from situations that could cause your body to over-indulge in sweets.