Ketosis - Symptoms and Diets that Cause Ketosis

Is ketosis a safe method for weight loss?

Ketosis is a popular word among many dieters. The state of ketosis is one that often causes rapid weight loss. However, there is much debate about whether the state of ketosis is safe and healthy.

What is Ketosis?

Ketosis is a state under which your body is burning its own fat for energy. Your cells are producing "ketones". Ketones are simply molecules generated by the body during fat metabolism. Ketones are produced when your body metabolizes fat from your food and fat from your body.

So, if you're losing weight, your body is producing ketones to metabolize the fat it is burning for energy.

Symptoms of Ketosis

When your body is in ketosis, the ketones can be detected in the urine. That is why so many people on diets, particularly low carbohydrate diets, check their urine for the presence of ketones, using a test strip.

However, there are many symptoms that go along with being in ketosis, so it's not likely that anyone really needs a test strip.

When your body is in ketosis, your urine will turn a dark, nearly orange color and will have a stronger odor. This is due to the presence of acetone, the one molecule from ketones that is always excreted as waste.

When your body is said to be in "ketosis", it simply means that you are excreting enough acetone through your urine that it can be measured on a test strip.

Is Ketosis Dangerous?

Ketosis is not dangerous for most people if proper measures are taken to take care of your body while it is in this state. In fact, ketosis can be desirable for those who are trying to lose weight.

Ketosis puts an extra burden on the kidneys, as does eating large amounts of protein. Therefore, whenever you're on a diet that causes you to go into ketosis, it is critical that you drink a lot of water.

Ketosis can also cause gout, so if you're prone to gout, watch your intake of foods that contain uric acid. This includes red meat and seafood.

Ketosis can be a dangerous state for people with Type 1 diabetes, because they can, in rare cases, go from ketosis into ketoacidosis. This is rare, but anyone who is a Type 1 diabetic should consult a doctor before going on any diet that could cause ketosis.

Diets that Cause Ketosis

High protein, low carbohydrate diets are those that are most likely to cause ketosis.

This is because, on these diets, your intake of carbohydrates is very low, so your body turns to fat for fuel rather than burning glucose.

If you want to diet while remaining out of ketosis, you must consume at least 100 grams of carbohydrate each day.

The state of ketosis can help people lose weight very quickly. And, for many healthy people, it is not dangerous, particularly if you drink plenty of water, and remain on a diet that induces ketosis only for a short period of time.

Once you've lost the weight, you should be able to keep it off by remaining out of the state of ketosis. However, anyone with health issues should always consult a physician before beginning any diet.