What is Ketosis?
Ketosis is a metabolic state where most of the body’s energy comes from ketones, in contrast to a state of glycolysis where the body’s energy comes from blood glucose (or sugar). Ketones are bodies produced in the liver by metabolizing fat. The benefits of a consistently being in a state of ketosis were first recognized by doctors treating epilepsy, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease. However, more recently ketosis has also been effective in the treatment of obesity, type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol. In addition, some people report improved mood, sleep, mental focus, blood sugar levels and reduced inflammation. Once you are adapted to a ketogenic lifestyle, going in and out of ketosis intermittently is thought to yield some of the longevity, anti-inflammatory and cancer-fighting benefits previously attributed to calorie restricted diets.
As breast-feeding infants we naturally burn fat for energy and produce ketones. However, as we grow older our food sources change and we spend most of our time in a state of glycolysis thus burning sugar rather than fat. In glycolysis, higher levels of insulin actually promote the storage of fat while also blocking the release of the body’s fat reserves. When in a state of ketosis, the body’s fat reserves are readily released and consumed. For this reason, ketosis is often referred to as the body’s “fat burning” mode. To learn more about the benefits of ketosis and how to achieve this state of fat burning for yourself, sign up here.
