Puzzled about zero/low carb diets

[the nature boy]

I understand the theory behind them, but here's my question:

Why doesn't the body use muscle for fuel instead of fat? Isn't muscle easily assimilated for fuel than fat? Hopes this makes sense.

 

[Par Deus]

I understand the theory behind them, but here's my question:

Why doesn't the body use muscle for fuel instead of fat? Isn't muscle easily assimilated for fuel than fat? Hopes this makes sense.

It does use muscle to some extent. The muscle sparing effects of ketogenic diets are from the refeeds, not the diet.

 

[the nature boy]

thanks PD.

 

[Kid Dynamite]

Ketones are supposedly muscle sparing. Plus, when your body is given large quantities of fat as it's main energy source, it will switch from glucose to fat (ketones) as an energy source. But like PD said, the carb ups make or break the diet. The reverse any catabolism from the days of no carbs and put you in an anabolic state and jump your metabolism.

 

[gymrat]

Ketones are supposedly muscle sparing. Plus, when your body is given large quantities of fat as it's main energy source, it will switch from glucose to fat (ketones) as an energy source. But like PD said, the carb ups make or break the diet. The reverse any catabolism from the days of no carbs and put you in an anabolic state and jump your metabolism.

well said