Keto Is This Easy


(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #163

Keeping carb intake under 50 g/day may or may not be a problem for you, depending on your degree of insulin-resistance. Highly insulin-resistant people need to restrict their glucose intake (i.e., carbs) to a much lower number; insulin-sensitive people can consume more carbohydrate without spiking their insulin. Serum insulin below the threshold results in ketogenesis, whereas when it is above the threshold, ketogenesis is inhibited and glucose gets stored in fat cells.

The insulin threshold is just under 25 μU/mL, and the key to keeping insulin below the threshold is to keep glucose/carbohydrate intake low.

As a matter of note, obesity is not a good indicator of insulin sensitivity or insensitivity. As of 2016 or 2017 in the U.S., there were actually more insulin-resistant thin people (called “TOFI” by doctors, “thin on the outside, fat on the inside”) than insulin-resistant fat people (about 20% of the obese are called “MHO”, “metabolically healthy obese”).

Nevertheless, if your liver enzymes are good, your inflammatory markers are low, and your HbA1C is good, then you are most likely insulin-sensitive, and a 50-g total carb intake will likely work for you.


(Bob M) #164

Paul, where did you get this info? Is this an overnight fasting value?


(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #165

I got it from Gary Taubes, The Case for Keto, pp. 111-13. If memory serves, he is summarising R C. Bonadonna, L C. Groop, K. Zych, M. Shank, and R. A. DeFronzo, “Dose-dependent effect of insulin on plasma free fatty acid turnover and oxidation in humans,” American Journal of Physiology, vol. 259, no. 5, part 1 (November 1990)


(Bob M) #166

Thank you. That’s one I don’t have. (I am the choir, so when Gary Taubes preaches via his books, I’m already a believer.)

Edit: I think Ben Bikman discusses getting fatty acids tested, then he uses these with something else (insulin?) to determine whether you’re insulin resistant or not.