24 hour fast to jumpstart ketosis

(Amy) #1

So this may be a strange question but if someone was starting a 24 hour water fast not in ketosis at all, what do you think typical ketone blood levels would be after 24 hours of not eating? Would you expect to be in ketosis at that point? Just mild ketosis? Would it be normal for someone to be in a somewhat deep ketosis at that point (ketones over 2.0) thoughts?

(mike) #2

I think it really depends on whether they are already fat adapted. I thnk if they were fat adapted they would see minor levels of ketones, likely .2-.3

If they weren’t fat adapted, and insulin resistant they likely will not see ketones that quickly. I think it will depend on their glycogen stores.

Being fat adapted and insulin resistance play a big role here.

I am fat adapted and can go from 0 ketones after a day or two of being off the KWOE and within 24 hours of being back on keto see low levels of ketones, like .2-.3.

(Amy) #3

But you wouldn’t expect to see a deep level of ketosis from just 24 hours of not eating.

(mike) #4

Again, depends on how fat adapted you are, and what was going on prior to being not in ketosis. If I ate something small that kicked me out of ketosis the night before and then I ate nothing the next 24 hours I could potentially get to 2.0. Might have to burn off my glycogen stores with some high intensity exercise first thing in the am to get the ketones going.

Many factors drive this.

I’m curious, has this happened to you or someone you know?

(Amy) #5

Honestly sometimes i’m trying to just gauge what’s normal as strange as this sounds. So I’ve done keto on and off for myself. My son, however, has a very rare liver disorder where his liver genetically doesn’t produce an enzyme it would need to regulate his blood sugar and ketones. E.g. before treatment he could go to bed at 100 and 0.1 and writhin 5 or 6 hours he would be at 40 and 6.0. It’s super rare and not something I would compare a normal ketoer to. Anyway I went off ketosis for a little while but yesterday my husband and I participated in a 24 hour water fast. By 21 hours my husband’s ketones were 0.2 but I was at 63 and 2.1. It just seemed weird to me like maybe I had a tinge of something my son has (or maybe just being a carrier for that genetic condition makes a difference). I’m not checking anyone into the hospital lol but just curious what is normal

(mike) #6

Interesting about your son, and curious about your thought as a carrier. That was my first thought too.

I’m guessing if not your are likely very insulin sensitive, well fat adapted, while your husband may be fat adapted possibly he is not as insulin sensitive.

Remember, insulin has to be low for ketones to start showing up.

(Amy) #7

Yeah I think there’s something genetic going on. I broke my fast yesterday night with a peanut butter and Nutella sandwich, apple pie, crackers, a baked potato, a two bowls of minestrone soup packed with rice, and then this morning ate 1 1/2 waffle for breakfast. I’m still in ketosis. I just checked myself after breakfast and I’m at 0.6. I think on this one I’m going to assume the funky genes in my system make me crank out ketones a little sooner

(mike) #8

WOW! I would be knocked out of ketosis for at least 3-4 days if I ate all those carbs!

(Amy) #9

Yeah I just really wanted my carbs thinking if I wanted to do ketosis again I could start in a few days. Guess I can start again now lol