What is ketosis? In very simplified terms, ketosis occurs when the body runs out of liver glycogen for energy and starts using ketones to create glycogen via glycogenesis. Those ketones are derived from medium chain triglycerides and free fatty acids. So the body uses fat for energy, unless glycogen (carbohydrates) are being replaced. The threshold for staying in ketosis seems to be around 30 grams of carbohydrates a day.
Got it, if I do not eat carbs then my body uses fat for energy = I am getting ripped. With that message in their heads, Americans went out in droves and bought bacon and keto sticks (in that order), in their quest for a perfect beach body.
Alas, things are not that simple. As always, one needs to be in a caloric deficit to lose body fat, ketosis or not. Eskimos are often year round in ketosis since the Arctic Circle offers very few grains, yet hey – they do carry a good amount of blubber which they need for insulation. The first law of thermodynamics strikes again: Calories in vs Calories out.
Low carb / keto diets work well for the following people:
1. The clinically obese such as those that cannot leave their beds and need to lose a lot of weight fast
2. Extremely sedentary people who do not move around a lot
By the same token, people who work out (and by that I mean train hard and for more than four hours a week), need to consume some carbohydrates to fuel their workouts and benefit from the anabolic properties of insulin.
Before I sign off, a short message to my taller readers: I’ll be doing some video work for Muscle and Fitness as to the struggle of those amongst us with long limbs so if there is anything you would like covered, please do send me a note by clicking here.
Best,
Maik