I've heard a few different stories. After hearing about the Atkins diet from my brother, I always understood ketosis as reducing the amount of sugars/carbohydrates to next to nothing causing ketones to be produced. These ketones, in turn would then begin to break down fatty acids (in the form of triglycerides) as a source of energy. If you eat more fats, you will go into ketosis faster and begin to break these down. Net result: your body begins to rely on fats (triglycerides) as a source of energy.
My physiology prof, who incidently wrote the textbook we are using explained the production of ketones as a result of low blood sugar levels. The ketones do not actually facilitate in the breakdown of fatty acids. In fact, they are simply the RESULT of the breaking down of triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol.
If this is true, then it only makes sense that when you begin to consume sugars/carbs (glucose) your body stops relying on fats for energy, and the ketones are then converted back into Acetyl-CoA, and your body begins to rely on glucose as a source of energy.
He also said, that if you wanted to burn more fats, if you were to somehow rid yourself of ketones in your system, your body would incidently want to produce more (to achieve a balance) so you would begin to break down fats to produce more ketones. Get rid of those, you break down MORE fats to produce ketones to replace those... get rid of those.... etc.
Is this the truth about ketosis? Do ketones actually do anything?
I think this would make an interesting research project... finding out how to remove ketones from the body and if this hypothesis is in fact correct.
Any input would be appreciated.
--Hess
My physiology prof, who incidently wrote the textbook we are using explained the production of ketones as a result of low blood sugar levels. The ketones do not actually facilitate in the breakdown of fatty acids. In fact, they are simply the RESULT of the breaking down of triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol.
If this is true, then it only makes sense that when you begin to consume sugars/carbs (glucose) your body stops relying on fats for energy, and the ketones are then converted back into Acetyl-CoA, and your body begins to rely on glucose as a source of energy.
He also said, that if you wanted to burn more fats, if you were to somehow rid yourself of ketones in your system, your body would incidently want to produce more (to achieve a balance) so you would begin to break down fats to produce more ketones. Get rid of those, you break down MORE fats to produce ketones to replace those... get rid of those.... etc.
Is this the truth about ketosis? Do ketones actually do anything?
I think this would make an interesting research project... finding out how to remove ketones from the body and if this hypothesis is in fact correct.
Any input would be appreciated.
--Hess