Parents, Keto, and Dr's Advice

newbies
(Jason Watkins) #1

Hello All,
My family has been on a somewhat low carb (well most of us) for many “moons.” I personally weighed around 265 in my mid thirties and heavy during younger years. When 265 hit I decided cut my carb intake to 10 - 20 grams per day, within approximately 6-8 mos I dropped about 80lbs. At the time, I worked two physically demanding jobs and worked out on a regular basis. I am 45 years old now and really never been healthier. Recently, I went full keto in which I have been extremely successful. I have lost approximately 10 lbs of fat and gained approximately 5-8 lbs of muscle with a total weight loss around +/- 5 lbs. When I started the keto lifestyle about 6 weeks ago, I weighed in at 173ish. My weight now is averaging +/- 165ish. I feel great, my energy levels are outstanding. I have been intermittent fasting on a regular basis and I have done two long term fasts (48hrs and 52hrs with in 2 weeks of each, “not too bad for only have fasted long term twice in my life”) I plan on a longer term fast in the future, possibly in the 72hr range. As Dr. Fung quotes “I am strengthening my fasting muscle”.

Well, since I have been so successful with keto and fasting I have attempted to persuade my parents to follow suit. I was successful in doing so and they have been in the process of changing there dietary habits.

Both of my parents paid a visit to the family doctor, today. In which, they both were warned to stay away from coconut oil do the high saturated fat levels and possible heart disease. The doctor suggested eating butter, olive oil, and other high fat oils. As well as other monounsaturated and polyunsaturated oils. Which, I have read and heard that these oils are inflammatory and unhealthy. The Dr. did not condone the full keto diet, however seemed to be a little mislead with the AHA guidelines and warnings of high trans fat intake according to the information I have retained.

Dad, 63 y/o is an over the road truck driver (LOL, so you what the means). He has tipped the 300lbs scale and has been warned that he is in stage 1 diabetes with high blood pressure. If he does not correct his insulin sensitivity, he will not be be granted a passing DOT physical. Since he has began this new diet track, he has dropped around 15lbs. However, this is more then likely water weight and will probably plateau. I am pretty sure that his ketone levels are minimal and will continue to increase as he continues to reduce his carb and protein intake. The Dr. warned him not to attempt any long term fasting because the fast will increase his insulin level. He was also told to eat 6 small meals a day. Which is next to impossible to achieve while staying within DOT driving time limit guidelines/regulations and meeting delivery schedules.

Mom 63 y/o, is not obese but overweight with thyroid and BP issues (both issues are medicated). She seems to be decent health. Her LDL Cholesterol was high with her HDL normal. Her ketone levels are probably close to being in the ketosis range due to fact that she has been comsuming fewer carbs.

What is or can the forums input on this situation? I have heard and read so much information that dietary fat intake technically has little to negligible effect on blood cholesterol levels. I myself have been consuming quite a bit of coconut oil, ie fat bombs, BPC’s, in cooking, baking and other dietary intake concoctions.

I apologize for the long winded post, however I feel that I needed to provide what information I could to get the most information available.

Thank You
A Concerned Son trying to get his parents into a healthy and long term lifestyle.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #2

Are your parents readers? If so, they might enjoy Why We Get Fat, by Gary Taubes, and The Big Fat Surprise, by Nina Teicholz. These are books about the current U.S. nutritional guidelines and the lack of science behind them. I doubt your dad’s doctor has time to read, but he should read Why We Get Fat so he can learn a bit.

If your parents would rather watch videos or listen to podcasts, there Dudes’ podcast is well worth listening to, and there are lectures on YouTube that I have found helpful. Look for the TED talk by Peter Attia. It’s a good introduction to the idea that obesity doesn’t cause diabetes, rather that both conditions are the results of a common cause. Lectures on the Low Carb Down Under channel by Stephen Phinney, Michael Eades, Jeff Volek, Jeffrey Gerber, Eric Westman, Georgia Ede, Dave Feldman, Andreas Eenfeldt, Richard Morris, and many others have all helped me. Robert Lustig’s video, “Sugar: The Bitter Truth” is very informative, but it might be too technical for your parents. (Watch it yourself before deciding whether to recommend it to them.)

If they like what they learn and want to get into LCHF/keto, there are plenty of good resources, including The New Atkins for the New You, by Westman, Phinney, and Volek, and The Art and Science of Low-Carbohydrate Living, by Phinney and Volek.

Just watching you get healthier has to have had an impact, so I’d bet your parents are ready to at least discuss things with you.

Saturated fat is one of the few foods that improves HDL. Take a look at the “Show Me the Science” section; there is a lot of good info there.

(KCKO, KCFO 🥥) #3

They can eat keto without coconut oil. Just use avocado and olive oil for cooking etc. Just stay away from the vegetable oils, like canola, corn, soy, and sunflower.

I have stopped using coconut oil not because I think it is poison, like the media’s fav fake news this week, but because it can confound your blood work according to Dave Feldman. I still have bacon grease and butter along with the oils. Plenty of cooking options.

I suggest you do a google search and find a meal planner for beginners for them to follow, there are many of those out there. I personally started out with Atkins 20 foodie plan, it got me going and kept me losing for several months. It is a good place to start, the Atkins bars and protein snacks should be disregarded, I just ate things like celery will cream cheese or almond butter instead when their products were called for, on the foodie plan that is just snacks. I skipped most of those because I started not feeling hungry all the time

Good luck getting him sorted out, keep reminding him he has to do this for his work life if he gets discouraged or complains about the food.

(Jason Watkins) #4

Thanks all for the Information, and please keep it coming. I will attempt to post improvements as they progress.

In speaking with my father yesterday, he admitted being inspired by my progress as of late. When we are reunited in December/January ( I happen to be an extended overseas deployment), his goals are being considerably lighter. He also confided the was feeling better and that he was already a few pounds less, just from reducing “carbage” during last weeks trip. So, even though he is in a semi-ketosis state at least his health appears to be on the right track.

Again, thank you for your information and support.

(Jason Watkins) #5

Here is an update to my parents progress.

Dad, has lost almost 30lbs since mid August not to “shabby” for being sedentary most of the time. His blood pressure has been slowly decreasing and his energy levels have increased substantially. He has also indicated that his mood and stress levels have improved dramatically.

Mom, continues to loose body size. Her decrease in weight seems to have platued but I tell her to be patient with loss of weight due to the fact of being female. Her blood pressure seems to be decreasing as well. Hopefully both of them will be able to reduce and possible stop the BP meds altogether. As Well as, get away from those nasty statins.

I myself embarqied on an extended fast after super on Sunday, at 72 hours I am feeling really good. My Goal started at 72 hours but since I have met that goal, it looks like I may extend it another day. Besides today is Italian day for diner with a lot of Carbage, not very keto friendly foods.