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The most significant downsides are psychological and kidney stones, plus its literally (by definition) your body’s signal of starvation. https://en.wikipedia.o

The most significant downsides are psychological and kidney stones, plus its literally (by definition) your body’s signal of starvation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketosis#Safety https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketosis#Safety Oh and this gem from the article on starvation. > After two or three days of fasting, the liver begins to synthesize ketone bodies from precursors obtained from fatty acid breakdown. The brain uses these ketone bodies as fuel, thus cutting its requirement for glucose. After fasting for three days, the brain gets 30% of its energy from ketone bodies. After four days, this may increase to 70% or more.[11] Thus, the production of ketone bodies cuts the brain's glucose requirement from 80 g per day to 30 g per day, about 35% of normal, with 65% derived from ketone bodies. But of the brain's remaining 30 g requirement, 20 g per day can be produced by the liver from glycerol (itself a product of fat breakdown). This still leaves a deficit of about 10 g of glucose per day that must be supplied from another source; this other source will be the body's own proteins. This is the biggest reason I've never done more than toy with ketosis is the body consuming muscle for protein to supply that remaining 10g of glucose per day. Esp. because 1 lb of muscle only 1,800 Cal vs 3,500 Cal / lb. Fat.

Zababa 5y ago
There's nothing in the article you linked to support your claim that it's "literally your body’s signal of starvation". It does happen during starvation, but that's it.
- solarmist 5y ago
  The first two phases of starvation are defined in terms of ketosis. It is by definition the start of starvation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starvation https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starvation Phase one: ... After that, the body begins to break down fat and protein. Fatty acids are used by the body as an energy source for muscles, but lower the amount of glucose that gets to the brain. Another chemical that comes from fatty acids is glycerol. It can be used like glucose for energy, but eventually runs out. Phase two: Phase two can last for up to weeks at a time. In this phase, the body mainly uses stored fat for energy. The breakdown occurs in the liver and turns fat into ketones. After fasting has gone on for one week, the brain will use these ketones and any leftover glucose. Using ketones lowers the need for glucose, and the body slows the breakdown of proteins.
  - Zababa 5y ago
    Ketosis being present when starvation occurs does not mean that starvation occurs every time ketosis is present. A in B doesn't mean B in A.
    - solarmist 5y ago
      It seems we're arguing semantics here. My point is that it is biologically indistinguishable from starvation at this point again by definition. Without an interview a doctor could not tell the difference. Your point seems be an objection to the use of the word starvation because it doesn't progress to the later stages due to maintenance of available fatty acids. And that it can be useful and therefore the word starvation is inappropriate. Does this sum it up?
      - Zababa 5y ago
        No, we're not arguing semantics. The definition of starvation, according to wikipedia, is: "Starvation is a severe deficiency in caloric energy intake, below the level needed to maintain an organism's life.". However ketosis can occur at a normal caloric energy intake. Also from the article: "The symptoms of starvation show up in three stages. Phase one and two can show up in anyone that skips meals, diets, and goes through fasting.". But you can get into ketosis without fasting or skipping meals. I'm not sure what "diets" means here. If it means "following a non standard diet", that would cover low carb diet. However if it means "reducing your caloric intake for health/aesthetic reasons", it wouldn't cover it.
brigandish 5y ago
That’s interesting but I was planning to eat, which means that those 10 grams of protein would come from food. Unless I missed something important there?

Zababa 5y ago

There's nothing in the article you linked to support your claim that it's "literally your body’s signal of starvation". It does happen during starvation, but that's it.

solarmist 5y ago
The first two phases of starvation are defined in terms of ketosis. It is by definition the start of starvation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starvation https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starvation Phase one: ... After that, the body begins to break down fat and protein. Fatty acids are used by the body as an energy source for muscles, but lower the amount of glucose that gets to the brain. Another chemical that comes from fatty acids is glycerol. It can be used like glucose for energy, but eventually runs out. Phase two: Phase two can last for up to weeks at a time. In this phase, the body mainly uses stored fat for energy. The breakdown occurs in the liver and turns fat into ketones. After fasting has gone on for one week, the brain will use these ketones and any leftover glucose. Using ketones lowers the need for glucose, and the body slows the breakdown of proteins.
- Zababa 5y ago
  Ketosis being present when starvation occurs does not mean that starvation occurs every time ketosis is present. A in B doesn't mean B in A.
  - solarmist 5y ago
    It seems we're arguing semantics here. My point is that it is biologically indistinguishable from starvation at this point again by definition. Without an interview a doctor could not tell the difference. Your point seems be an objection to the use of the word starvation because it doesn't progress to the later stages due to maintenance of available fatty acids. And that it can be useful and therefore the word starvation is inappropriate. Does this sum it up?
    - Zababa 5y ago
      No, we're not arguing semantics. The definition of starvation, according to wikipedia, is: "Starvation is a severe deficiency in caloric energy intake, below the level needed to maintain an organism's life.". However ketosis can occur at a normal caloric energy intake. Also from the article: "The symptoms of starvation show up in three stages. Phase one and two can show up in anyone that skips meals, diets, and goes through fasting.". But you can get into ketosis without fasting or skipping meals. I'm not sure what "diets" means here. If it means "following a non standard diet", that would cover low carb diet. However if it means "reducing your caloric intake for health/aesthetic reasons", it wouldn't cover it.

brigandish 5y ago

That’s interesting but I was planning to eat, which means that those 10 grams of protein would come from food. Unless I missed something important there?