The Cost of Keto…sis

Have you ever wanted to experience fatigue, headache, nausea, constipation, tooth decay, and nutrient deficiencies? Do you enjoy reducing your muscle mass so you can look and feel like a weak blob? How about a side of halitosis and kidney stones to go with that?

This is what happens to your body in ketosis. Ketosis describes the metabolic state of your body when it doesn't have enough glucose for the essential functions of the body. The brain, heart, muscles, kidneys, and liver all require glucose to perform. While in the glucose-deprived state of ketosis, your body converts fat storage into ketones for energy. (Acetone is the most commonly known and simplest type of ketone produced in your body.) When your blood accumulates too many ketones, your body enters a metabolic state known as ketoacidosis. Malnutrition causes ketoacidosis and can be deadly. Individuals with diabetes, alcoholism, and anorexia nervosa are predominant patients presenting with ketoacidosis.

Certain YouTubers in white lab coats say, "You can't go into ketoacidosis without having diabetes," and that is false. Anyone lacking proper nutrition can develop ketoacidosis. Or diabetes, for that matter.

In contrast, your body uses glycolysis to function well. Glycolysis describes the metabolic state of your body when it has glucose to convert into pyruvate, which is then converted into energy in the form of ATP and NADH.

Nerd o'clock: ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is coined "energy currency," while NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide + hydrogen) is responsible for carrying electrons to generate ATP.

So what is it like to have ATP & NADH energy? Strength and speed are available to you. Your thoughts are clear, and your bowels have movement. Hair, skin, and nails are thicker, youthful, and less brittle. In the metabolic state of glycolysis, the world can feel brighter and lighter. All of this for the price of healthy nutrition and lifestyle.

But wait! If humans feel energetic after learning how to fuel themselves, it isn't profitable for corporations. So diet culture glamorizes ketosis, truncates it to ‘keto’ to make it cute, and sells it for years on end without longitudinal studies of the side effects of a Keto Diet on your health. <eye roll> I wonder if, upon the creation of the Keto Diet, someone said, "Diseases like alcoholism, anorexia, and diabetes are nutritional role models that we should aspire to. Let’s induce ketosis in every one!" then took that idea straight to the bank.

Luckily, staying in an actual state of ketosis is difficult. (Probably because it feels so shitty.) Most people who claim to follow a Keto Diet go all out, get about halfway, then fluctuate in and out of the metabolically inefficient state, never to achieve their body composition goals.

Watching people's muscles seemingly evaporate when they aren't being fed glucose makes me melancholy. Ditch the diet.

For sustainable Nutrition Coaching, book a session to create the changes you need to achieve your goals and live your healthiest life. Learn more about Heidi's approach to nutrition here.

Final note: is it possible to survive in a state of ketosis? Sure, but it's like putting diesel in a gas engine. It might still run and drive temporarily, but you will experience hard starting, reduced power, reduced fuel efficiency, and excess exhaust smoke, which will inevitably damage the engine.

That’s a simile. You are the engine. Hope that helps.