Often when we hear about a diet that puts the body into a state of ketosis, we’re afraid we’ve heard that ketosis is a potentially dangerous imbalance of blood glucose, the result of a low-carb, high-fat diet. fat and high in protein. Ketosis occurs when the body switches from burning glucose for energy to burning ketones for energy. Glucose comes from carbohydrates, which are the body’s first choice for metabolizing energy. Ketones are used for energy when there is not enough glucose (from carbohydrates) present in the bloodstream to use for energy.
Clinically stated, “Ketosis is a condition in which the levels of ketones (ketone bodies) in the blood are elevated. Ketones are formed when glycogen stores in the liver are depleted. Ketones are used for energy. “Ketones are tiny carbon fragments that are fuel created by the breakdown of fat stores. Ketosis is potentially a serious condition if key tone levels are too high.”
Most bariatric surgery patients are instructed to follow a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet with a modest amount of fat. The body only needs protein and fat to build and repair tissues and cells, carbohydrates do not play a role in this metabolic function. Also, the body can get all of its energy from fat and protein. A ketogenic diet, first developed in the early 20th century, is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet. By following a ketogenic diet, your body will go from being a carb-burning machine to a fat-burning machine. As a result weight is lost.
Perhaps the best known keto diet is the Atkins plan in which ketosis is deliberately achieved through a high-fat, high-protein, low-carb diet. According to the Atkins program, proper monitoring through urinalysis will keep ketosis within safe limits and the dieter can achieve an ideal body weight without experiencing unbearable hunger. Most weight loss surgery patients are discouraged from following an Atkins-type diet due to the high fat content. Surgery reduces the amount of gastric juice available for digestion, and many patients do not tolerate high-fat foods.
Speaking to the general population (not necessarily weight-loss surgery patients), experts are divided on the health risk versus benefit of a ketogenic diet. Some experts say it is dangerous because if keytone levels are not properly controlled, there can be stress on the kidneys and a significant loss of calcium excreted through urine can cause kidney stones or osteoporosis. Proponents of a ketogenic diet cite human evolution in their argument saying that for most of the time humans have existed, we have been a hunter-gatherer species living in a ketogenic state for extended periods. Documented studies suggest that after a 2-4 week adaptation period, human physical endurance is not affected by ketosis. Some studies go so far as to suggest that humans do not necessarily need a high carbohydrate intake to replace depleted glycogen stores for energy.
Weight loss surgery patients should work closely with their bariatric center to develop a diet and lifestyle program specific to their obesity condition and recovery. While many consider the primary goal of weight loss surgery to be weight loss to improve physical appearance, the primary goal is to improve health, energy, and longevity.
