Does less carbs = quicker fat-adaption?

(Alicia) #1

Hey there! I’m halfway through my 2nd week of Ketosis now and I’m aware that it can take 6 weeks or more to become fat adapted. I am wondering if this is the average for around 20g net carbs per day and if reducing to 10g would allow the body to reach that state quicker?

(Mary Nell Greer Burnette) #2

you should go to youtube and check out dr jason fung. he is all about fasting, and doc ken berry who is all about keto-

(Running from stupidity) #3

Nope. Just keep doing the thing and it’ll happen when it happens.

(Allie) #4

We advise 20g as that’s the amount that seems to guarantee ketosis for most people.

(Running from stupidity) #5

20g maximum.

(Banting & Yudkin & Atkins & Eadeses & Cordain & Taubes & Volek & Naiman & Bikman ) #6

No. And many people can get there on more than 20. And some people feel best on zero and some people feel best on 40.

(Brian) #7

^^^^^^ This.

Sometimes it takes several months. And that’s OK. I know people get anxious, that’s kinda the way we are.

(Banting & Yudkin & Atkins & Eadeses & Cordain & Taubes & Volek & Naiman & Bikman ) #8

Once you accept that you didn’t put it on in a month or three, you can accept that it may take a longer time to get rid of. If you’ve been carrying it for a few years, it’s not gonna be gone in three months. It’s gonna take time.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #9

The process of fat-adaptation seems to take a set amount of time, regardless of the level of carbohydrate eaten, as long as that level is low enough to permit the body to enter ketosis. Part of the process seems to be the restoration of mitochondrial health and the growth of new mitochondria, but there are apparently other adaptations that also need to take place.

If you are interested at all in the biochemistry involved, take a look at this post by Dr. Phinney and Prof. Volek: https://blog.virtahealth.com/keto-adapted/

(Alicia) #10

Ok so here’s a new question,. What if I DiD gain the extra weight quickly, like 30 pounds of fat in 6 months. (Due to stress and change in my environment and quitting certain drugs) Will I lose it quicker than someone who’s had it for a long time or slower because I’ve already recently shocked my metabolism?

(Robert C) #11

If you want to help yourself in terms of carbs - this is the best “keto” advice I have heard on the 20 gram limit.
“Do not use net carbs for anything but whole foods (i.e. mostly incidental carbs from vegetables).”
Nutrition labeling on - for example - Quest bars show low enough net carbs so that you could have 2 a day.
That is not what the 20 gram limit is for (i.e. it is not IIFYM - “if it fits your macros”) - it is more likely for keeping you heading for broccoli and spinach and away from root vegetables, fruits and especially - unreal “foods”.

(Robert C) #12

Dr. Fung discusses this in some podcast(s?). If I remember correctly, he used the example of actors that shoot up in weight for a role and have a relatively easy time getting back to their original weight vs. a person that had been at the much higher weight for a long time.

So, I think the answer would be - where has your weight been, on average, over the last decade?
If your recent 6-month gain was after many years at the lower weight - then it should be “easier” to get back to the lower weight.
If your recent 6-month gain was after many years at something near this higher weight and you simply dropped down 30 pounds on your last diet, touched that lower weight and went back up - then it should be more difficult to get back to the lower weight.

(Alicia) #13

I see… well prior to my rapid weight gain since March I was at my low weight for about 4 years. I’m 28 now and was at the same weight I am now for most of my life (10 years-around 23years old). So for 4 years I thought I had finally gotten in control and would never gain that weight again, and all the sudden this past year im right back to where I was before.
Keto seems to be working well enough so far. I’ve lost 4 pounds in 10 days. I know I just sound anxious but I’m really uncomfortable suddenly not fitting in clothes I purchased not that long ago… and really don’t want to buy a bunch of new ones to fit my larger figure. (I’m only 5’2 so 30 pounds of fat looks like a lot)

(Robert C) #14

4 pounds it 10 days is progress and the progress will probably continue if you do not backslide.

There is an acronym used a lot around here - KCKO (“keep calm and keto on”).

It can be taken to mean more than just “keep doing keto”.

If you remain anxious and uncomfortable (stressed about having to spend money on clothes you will only use for a short time) then it is more difficult to lose weight.

I am not an expert but the explanation seems to be that when you are stressed - you stay more in fight-or-flight mode - so you conserve potentially needed resources (because you don’t know if there is an upcoming famine) so your body holds on to fat. It may even help make the decision for you to sit at home - again to conserve - why liven up the day with a walk if winter is coming?

Meditate, envision yourself at your goal weight, tell yourself you’ll buy more adjustable clothes you can wear longer, don’t weigh yourself too often - keep the positives in mind while going in a positive direction and I think you’ll go more parasympathetic and your body will respond positively (essentially letting the weight drop off - your body is smart and doesn’t want to haul around weight it does not think it needs).

(Running from stupidity) #15

You do, however, agree with one.

Prolonged cortisol stimulation will raise glucose levels and, subsequently, insulin. This increase in insulin plays a substantial role in the resulting weight gain.
Dr Jason Fung, The Obesity Code

There’s lots more about cortisol in his book which I strongly recommend people read.

(Candy Lind) #16

In the strictest sense, less carbs doesn’t equal quicker fat adaptation, but it DOES mean that you’re sure to get into ketosis quicker and stay there.

You smart, intelligent, lovely girl! You’re seeing signs of insulin resistance at an early age, and doing something about it!! So many don’t, and continue laboring fruitlessly within the SAD dogma until they are hopelessly metabolically deranged (I’m raising my hand here - 50+ years of this awful diet is going to take a while to repair).

Hang in there - do what you can to reduce your cortisol levels, and don’t freak out if you hang around that 4 pound weight loss for a while. Your body has stuff it needs to repair, and it will do that before it goes after the fat - ESPECIALLY if you are not eating enough. Give your caloric intake a little boost, and see if you don’t end up losing a few more pounds. Early on in keto, I did that twice, and twice I got a WHOOSH! of weight loss. My body could finally overcome my insulin resistance and use my fat stores.

KCKO! :muscle: :+1:

(Banting & Yudkin & Atkins & Eadeses & Cordain & Taubes & Volek & Naiman & Bikman ) #17

Could be. Everything is different for everyone. Best you can do is KCKO.

(Michelle) #18

I found that I got into ketosis quickly by keeping my carbs below 20 but also by working out and using up all my excess glycogen stores.

(Alicia) #19

Do you mean fat-adapted? I’ve been in Ketosis for a while now

(Michelle) #20

I meant ketosis. Fat adaptation is a little more of a blurry line, and everyone is different. It took me about 5-6 weeks. I just got to the point where I wasn’t hungry nor craving carbs.