Several people on the forums have suggested that the older you are, the harder it is to get into ketosis. Is this true?
Age in relation to ketosis
Keto6468
(Karen)
#2
Actually it was super easy to get into ketosis, but harder to move weight. 62 yo.
K
MountainGirl
(Marta Loftfield)
#3
I’m 58, no problem getting into ketosis or fat adapted. I do need to do consistent fasting to lose weight.
mtncntrykid
(Ron)
#4
I am the opposite. I had a hard time getting adapted and was very strict in the beginning. It took me 10 weeks to get adapted and I struggled with electrolyte imbalances that gave me the keto flu most of the time. After adapted, the weight loss has been a steady. I was T2d and about 80lbs overweight. I am 62.
In2steam
(Chris W)
#5
Getting into ketosis versus being ketogenic are two different things, one is a defined state or level(I think Phinney and Volek used a level .5 someone correct me) of ketones the other just being in the metabolic process. Being ketogenic is easy, some people have a harder time being in ketosis as a defined by a level. Typically that is T2D or IR folks, but some people just have a hard time making a lot of spare ketones.
Another factor is that the younger you are the less likely you have destroyed your metabolism, people who are young can go into and of ketosis easily, babies are born in ketosis for instance. My daughter who is 21 started keto a few weeks ago and was in ketosis the best we could tell in a day and half at levels that were as high as my highest at 4 months during fasting. I don’t take blood samples so that is based on breath but none the less she was kicking it only a few days in. Most annoying is that she can cheat, and be back in keto in a day, whereas when I was at her stage it took over a week when I made a mistake. Metabolically she is prime, were as I am not even close but I am getting better.
Regina
(Empress of the Unexpected)
#6
Thank you for that. Seven weeks in. I’m 60, and still have sitting on the couch days. And hunger days. So waiting eagerly for this “fat adaption” of which everyone speaks!
Noapples4u
#7
I’m 67 and started with a fasting insulin of 37, so very insulin resistant. I’ve lost 35 pounds in 4 1/2 months and am 4 pounds away from a “normal BMI now. (5-1, 136 pounds). I didn’t find it difficult to get into ketosis but I’ll admit I’m quite strict and haven’t cheated at all, not even during vacations. I feel so much better eating this way that I plan to never stop.
Noapples4u
#11
No, my doctor is kind of a hands off guy. I saw him after I’d lost a few pounds, told him what blood work I wanted to get in a few months and he wrote for it. I see him tomorrow, and I think he’ll be blown away by my results. I hope so, anyway! I was pre diabetic, had terrible reactive hypoglycemia and looming liver issues. All resolved.
Regina
(Empress of the Unexpected)
#13
Thank you!!! You lectured me yesterday for not eating enough but allow me to give you some background. People on this forum will probably hate me, but I was 110 pounds until I went into menopause seven years ago. Shot up to 145 and really wasn’t aware of it. I’ve always been active but that wasn’t helping. Read wheat belly and went down to 119. Shot up to 132. Now at 5’4" that doesn’t sound like much, but I developed a jelly belly and high triglycerides. And was disturbed by the up again, down again. Here’s the real me - all throughout my life I have found myself eating nothing but meat for weeks on end. To me a cheat meal was sour cream with tacos and I always loved bacon. I am pleased with my results on Keto - 10 pounds, slimmer face, no butt?, lost half a shoe size. BUT, and here is the big BUT, my body is not tolerating the amount of fat I am supposed to intake. It seems like I am good with whole foods fat - meats, bacon, olives, avocados. But they do not fill me up like a pork chop does. More to the point, all the added fats, like sour cream, cream, etc. are not making my body happy. Olive oil? I am running to the bathroom. (Don’t get why so many folks on Keto are constipated). MCT oil - not going there, even the devotees say it can cause gastrointestinal problems. Judging from my reaction to olive oil, MCT oil consumption would get me ready for a colonoscopy, no GoLightly needed! I think I will concentrate on meat for now.
Noapples4u
#15
Yes, you can lol. I have NASH-- non-alcoholic liver steatohepatitis. This is the next (worse) step after NAFLD, or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. My liver enzymes shot up suddenly 1 1/2 years ago . I had a million liver tests before my hepatologist finally ran a fasting insulin test. To me, that told the real story about what was going on.
Everyone gave me the “But you’re not THAT overweight” line as a reason why I couldn’t be that sick. But I was that sick and apparently, overweight enough. I was 170 pounds and 5-1, with a BMI of 31. Interestingly, I didn’t have that much fat in my liver-- it was mild to moderate on all the tests. But I had damage from it.
I don’t see the hepatologist again for a few months. Hoping to have stellar results next time I see him and a diagnosis of no liver disease at all.
Sheri_Knauer
(Sheri Knauer)
#18
When I started keto I was 49 (Im 51 now) and had no issues getting into ketosis and then becoming fat adapted. I would think that the metabolic issues you have and their severity would play a bigger role in how easy it is for someone to get into ketosis/become fat adapted. And of course how diligent you are in following a strict keto diet those first few months and/or until your most severe metabolic/health issues are better or resolved.
Noapples4u
#19
I saw my doctor today–he just lost 20 pounds on low carb and was really interested in hearing about keto. He even took notes lol. He couldn’t argue with my results, that’s for sure!