Is there any evidence that carbohydrate ingestion above the bare minimum needed to keep a patient out of......

Question

ketosis is of any benefit to the human body?

Answer 1

I am not sure about this question. I believe that 100g of CHO is needed daily to prevent someone going into ketosis.

I just wanted to post some info from your other question which I know I already said something about, but I have been looking at some research. The quesiton was 'Can anyone site any study at all that proves that a patient in ketosis from a zero carb diet is in any danger'.

The evidence regarding people entering ketosis as a result of diets such as Atkin's etc is not conclusive. This is primarily due to small sample sizes of such studies and a short time frame (longest study was ~ 1 year).

However, ketosis is used as an alternative/ last attempt treatment in epilepsy for children who do not respond to medications. Side effects of such a diet include bad/ fruit breath (b/c of the acetone from the KBs), constipation, anorexia, hypoglycaemia which can lead to fatigue, weakness, confusion, dizziness and the constant low grade acidosis increases the calcium in the urine (which has been leached from the bone) posing a risk of the development of osteoporosis. This is of particular concern in children (b/c of peak bone mass accrural etc), and I would also think this is of concern in adults too (calcium intake could be increased though since dairy products are recommended, even though low fat milk contains more calcium - but anyway). I suggest if you are looking for such articles search for ketosis and its role in epilepsy as there is a substantial body of evidence for it.

However, I am still not convinced that low CHO diets are a successful weight loss option (especially in long term - articles do state that this type of diet has low long term success). Based on my knowledge of biochemistry, especially GNG I understand that the consequences of such a diet could never outweight the potential benefits.

Sorry for posting this here but though you might like to know.

Answer 2

There are multiple challenges in your question. First that "bare minimum" is constantly changing and is not a steady norm, throughout the day, or from person to person. ketosis is the body adapting to low blood sugar.  Blood sugar changes every minute, and is related to activity.  If the question is it OK to have a low carb diet absolutely, but it is not possible to know exactly how many carbs will precisely keep you out of ketosis.  But you are right in that it is important to have enough carbs in order to avoid ketosis and its damaging effects.  Hope this helps a little.