Ketosis is a natural and protective body process that has developed in human beings from the earliest of times. Being able to store extra calories (kilojoules) as body fat when food was plentiful allowed our ancient ancestors, cavemen and cavewomen, to use up fat reserves and survive when food was scarce.
Ketosis is simply the body’s way of metabolising stored excess body fat.
How does it work?
Your body functions each day using body fuel (kilojoules) normally obtained from the food you eat. If you consume less kilojoules than your body requires (by either reducing kilojoule intake, increasing kilojoule usage or both) your body will metabolise your fat stores which are then used by your body as body fuel.
Your body breaks down your excess fat into ketones, which are then used by the body as body fuel. As fat is broken down - your weight reduces.
You can check if you are in ketosis with a simple urine test – a positive result indicates your body is metabolizing your excess body fat.
Ketosis is not KetoAcisosis
Perhaps the biggest confusion about ketosis is that it is often misunderstood to be the same as KetoAcidosis, but this is quite wrong.
KetoAcidosis occurs when the body fails to adequately regulate ketone production. This typically occurs in insulin dependent diabetics. KetoAcidosis is dangerous.
Ketosis on the other hand is simply the body metabolizing fat and is not harmful
Cheers
Dr Tim.
