What is Ketosis ?
A lot of people are confused by the term "ketosis". You may read that it is a "dangerous" state for the body to be in. But ketosis merely means that our bodies are using fat for energy.
Ketosis shouldn't lead to a loss of muscle tissue, unless you are completely out of fat. It makes you even better at burning fat, as you retain the strength throughout your body to do so, particularly in the smaller internal muscles.
When ketosis is taking place, it is possible to lose up to a stone in 2-4 weeks. In the absence of carbohydrates, the body will resort to stored fat (triglycerides) as its primary fuel source.
Stored fat is broken down into ketones, which the body then uses for energy. In order to enter this state of ketosis, one's liver glycogen must be emptied.
Ingested carbohydrates are stored in the liver as glycogen, as well as in the muscles. When the liver is depleted of glycogen, a state of ketosis is achieved.
Ketones are molecules generated during fat metabolism, whether from the fat in the guacamole you just ate or fat you were carrying around your middle. This is when our bodies are breaking down fat for our energy.
Is Ketosis dangerous?
‘Ketosis’ should not to be confused with a dangerous condition called ‘Ketoacidosis’ which can develop in those with type 1 diabetes.
The body usually avoids this state by producing insulin but people with type 1 diabetes are unable to produce insulin. Even most people with type 2 diabetes who inject insulin usually produce enough insulin of their own to prevent ketoacidosis.