I have a couple friends that are nurses, they are incredibly supportive of my new adventure, but they have warned me a number of times about ketoacidosis. They say it can be fatal and not to ignore the signs....
What are the signs???
I am in my first 2 weeks of the diet and I am wondering what I should be looking for. They say that I shouldn't take any supplements that induce ketosis for fear of ketoacidosis.
And now I'm feeling paranoid.....

Hi Terasun,

Tell your nurse friends to go back to their textbooks.

Ketosis is NOT ketoacidosis. They are totally different things!

The following was posted in another thread by our beloved webmaster, Tamarian.

1. Ketones: Ketones are a byproduct of fat metabolism (the breaking down of fat into energy).

If you lose 1 lb of fat, you will produce ketones. This will happen if you follow any diet, Atkins, the Zone, Slim Fat or Jenny Craig.

You don't have to be on a low-carb diet to get them!



quote:
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The whole process of muscle protein catabolism and liver gluconeogenesis is regulated principally by glucocorticosteroids and glucagon and a relative lack of insulin. Early in fasting glycogen reserves are depleted, and protein (mainly from muscle) becomes the major source of carbon for glucose production. Glucose is required in substantial amounts by blood cells and the central nervous system on a daily basis. There is also an initiation of ketone body production by the liver to provide a more water soluble form of fat-derived fuel.
Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism: with clinical applications", Maria C. Linder

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More reading here: http://www.lowcarbretreat.com/ketosis.html


2. Ketosis: Ketosis is the presence of excess ketones in the body. It's is the cotinious state of fat metabolism. A healthy mechanism that "kicks-in" when there is not enough dietary sugar.


quote:
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"A very similar adaption of protein and energy metabolism occurs in persons consuming diets very low in carbohydrates, where there is little or no glycogen reserve. However, in this instance, dietary protein largely or fully substitutes for muscle protein in gluconeogenesis.
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2A Starvation-Ketosis: Lack of dietary sugar also occures under starvation, resulting in ketosis. (DUH!) This has been mentioned earlier (quoted above) in the "Ketone bodies, potential therapeutic uses." study

3. Ketoacidosis: The polar opposite to Ketosis, excess of ketones, even with excess dietary sugar.

3A Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA): Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a state of absolute or relative insulin deficiency aggravated by ensuing hyperglycemia, dehydration, and acidosis-producing derangements in intermediary metabolism. The most common causes are underlying infection, disruption of insulin treatment, and new onset of diabetes. DKA typically is characterized by hyperglycemia over 300 mg/dL, low bicarbonate (<15 mEq/L), and acidosis (pH <7.30) with ketonemia and ketonuria.
http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic135.htm

3B. Alcoholic Ketoacidosis (AKA): Alcoholic ketoacidosis (AKA) is an uncommon and frequently missed condition. Many of the signs and symptoms of AKA are present with other conditions associated with alcohol abuse. AKA often is overlooked as the cause of the patient's presenting complaints. AKA most commonly occurs when an alcoholic has been on a binge and abruptly ceases drinking.
http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic21.htm

.

You might show this to your nurse friends. And BTW, I'm a Registered Nurse myself.

Rosebud

Thanks for all the great info.
I'll stop being so paranoid and get to losing.

terasun