Some of our nations leading weight loss programs take advantage of a metabolic state called ketosis. But, there is a lot of confusion about this term. Our hunter gatherer ancestors evolved a system to efficiently store fat during times of famine but they also evolved a process called ketosis to efficiently live off that fat when necessary. Ketosis is the scientific name for the process of burning your own stored body fat for fuel.
Ketosis is a shortening of the term Lipolysis/Ketosis. Lipolysis simply means that you’re breaking down body fat into its components and using its components as an energy source. The by-products of burning fat are Ketones. When your body spills ketones in your urine, you have ‘chemical proof’ that you’re burning your own stored fat. The more ketones you release, the more fat you have broken down.
If you are restricting the amount of carbohydrates you eat, your body turns to fat as its alternative source of energy. In effect, Lipolysis/Ketosis has replaced the alternative of burning glucose for energy. Both are perfectly normal processes.
Do not confuse Ketosis – a perfectly normal metabolic process with ‘Ketoacidosis’ – a life threatening condition to those individuals who are either insulin-deficient with extremely high blood sugar levels, severe alcoholics or those in a state of extreme starvation.
Ketosis is evolution’s answer to burning body fat for fuel in times of famine!
How do we burn fat for energy?
Our body’s prefers to burn glucose for energy. However, when our glucose stores are depleted, during strenuous exercise, starvation, or a diet void of refined carbohydrates, our body then turns to ketosis to provide energy. The fat then melts away.
But any ingestion of starch or refined carbohydrates replete our internal carbohydrate stores and derail fat burning.
Any diet that relies on ketosis requires discipline. But it is the quickest non-surgical and safe way to lose weight.
At Bryant Park Wellness in NYC, we successfully recommend a recognized weight loss program that is based on using ketosis to quickly and safely lose weight – The Ideal Protein Weight Loss Program.
