Nutritional Ketosis: Origins and Definition

Introduction

Over a century ago, doctors observed that individuals with Type 1 diabetes, whose pancreas fails to produce insulin, could not utilize glucose and overproduced ketones.
Ketoacidosis: Occurs with very high ketone levels, altering blood acidity.
- Extreme levels can be up to 20.
- Detected by smell, indicative of uncontrolled diabetes.

Nutritional Ketosis: Safe ketone levels between 0.5 to 3.
- Results from a well-formulated ketogenic diet.
- Ketone levels here are beneficial for feeding vital organs.
Ketoacidosis: Dangerous state with ketone levels starting from 10.
Total Starvation: Can increase ketones up to 7, but still below ketoacidosis levels.

Solid scientific papers show how beta-hydroxybutyrate (primary ketone) reduces inflammation and oxidative stress.
Benefits include optimized control for some inflammatory diseases.

Target Audience:
- Type 2 diabetes patients, overweight individuals, or those with hypertension.
- These groups often have insulin resistance.
Insulin Resistance:
- Body loses responsiveness to insulin which regulates blood sugar and fat metabolism.
- Requires reducing daily carbohydrate intake to 20-50 grams (less than 10%, often 5% of daily energy).
Dietary Approach:
- Not a calorie-restricted diet but focuses on satiety.
- High fat intake is essential to compensate for low carbohydrate.
- Moderate protein intake.
Safety of High Fat Intake:
- Important to address if consuming more than half of calories from fat is safe.
- Indicated as safe when following a ketogenic diet properly.

Nutritional ketosis is a safe metabolic state with distinct benefits and should not be conflated with ketoacidosis, a dangerous condition associated with diabetes.