What is the feeling on the Atkins Diet and Martial Training?

[Lizard]

what is ketosis? it doesn't sound very healthy

[sk12879]

Originally posted by Lizard
what is ketosis? it doesn't sound very healthy

Basically, as I understand it (someone feel free to elaborate more), it is when the body is using fat as it's primary fuel source rather than glycogen. When fat is burned, ketones are released into the bloodstream. Ketones are acidic, giving the blood a very acidic composition. This somewhat goes back to Roberts discussion of "carbs are easier to burn". Since your body prefers to burn carbohydrates, sugars, etc, burning of fat is at a minimum.

I will always believe that the safest weight loss is one consisting of eating balanced amounts of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats, along with exercise.

[Disciple]

Ketosis is a state in which your body burns fat ineffeciently to elevate your blood sugar. What I mean by this is that normally, your body burns up both fat and protein when your blood sugar is low. When your insulin level goes very low, however, your body goes into starvation/self preservation mode. You spare protein(muscle mass) and burn fat (incompletely). The remnants of the burned fat show up in your urine as Ketone bodies. Your insulin will never go so low that you become ill however. This same phonomenon occurs in Type I diabetics. The difference is that their insulin levels become so low that two things happen. 1. Their body goes into ketosis, 2. The increased glucagon/insulin ratio causes massive glycogenolysis in the liver, causing a massively elevated blood sugar. The ketone bodies lower the pH of the blood causing an acidosis. This condition is called Diabetic Ketoacidosis and requires hospital admission.

All in all the Atkins diet works, but I don't think it's good for athletes. Athletes need that muscle and liver glycogen for working out and competing. Yes, the Atkins diet does increase HDL, but I think some of the weight loss is from decreased food intake (I mean really, who can stomach all steak, bacon, butter, etc. every day), and water loss due to low carb intake.

[sk12879]

Originally posted by Disciple
I think some of the weight loss is from decreased food intake (I mean really, who can stomach all steak, bacon, butter, etc. every day), and water loss due to low carb intake.

If you cut out any of the 3 types of calories, you will lose weight due to decreased food intake.