I have been following the IP plan for one full week now, and I've lost a total of 9 pounds. Although I'm thrilled about my weight loss, I have a question about being in a state of ketosis. I am following the plan to the letter, and I was into ketosis by the end of the second day. I felt great on days 2, 3, and 4. On the 5th day, I woke up feeling great but slowly lost my energy and feeling of well being by the early afternoon. When I tested with the ketostix, I tested negative. Two days later, I am still not back in ketosis. So, I'm wondering what might make my body fall out of ketosis? I didn't stray from the plan, and I didn't do any exercise (other than my typcial housework, etc.). Does anyone have any input on this? Thanks in advance for your thoughts

Which veggies are you eating? Some have a higher carb count than others. How much water are you drinking? If you are drinking a LOT of water that can dilute the saturation of ketones so that it only appears that you have a low ketosis reading. Since you are feeling so miserable though, I don't know if that would be the case. Are you getting in all of your supplements and sea salt? (if you're doing Ideal Protein) Eating enough veggies?

Try counting your carbs using something like www.fitday.com or another site like it to ensure you aren't going over your daily carbs. You need to stay below 40 g of carbs to stay in ketosis.

Also, my coach stated that IP recently decided that restricted items should only be consumed 1-2 times per week rather than 1 per day...so perhaps limiting restricted items would help.

I am definitely counting my carbs, and I'm staying around 25 or so. I haven't had any restricted items at all yet. It feels so good to be in ketosis, but I feel just awful when I'm not. I'm cranky, tired, hungry, and just altogether gross. Thanks for your input.

On the cranky subject...try adding more omega 3 or Olive oil...that helped me TREMENDOUSLY!

Your brain needs the fat or your hormones go nuts-o on you...hence the moods

staying near 25 carbs is very low. for some people it can be too low. this is most noticeable in people who have a serotonin deficiency or who have experienced depression. the body uses carbohydrates in the production of serotonin. more specifically, carbohydrates make more available in the body specific amino acids that can cross the blood brain barrier to be utilized in the production of serotonin (used for mood regulation, appetite control, sleep, muscle, metabolism, temperature regulation, etc.) WHICH is then used to make melatonin for us at night as a sleep chemical. EXCESS protein in our diet blocks the availability of the amino acids from crossing the blood brain barrier and can cause symptoms of low serotonin to be apparent. As a result of the low serotonin, production of melatonin MAY be reduced. The process in general and any sleep impact can cause the symptoms you mention.

FIXES: FIRST, speak to your doctor or coach. I can share what I learned but I can't prescribe for you or your health concerns.

Some people, have responded well to low carb diets by adding a capsule or two (100mg each usually) of 5htp per day. 5htp is normally found in our body as an intermediate step in the conversion of naturally occuring tryptophan (found in poultry, milk, and some veggies) as it crosses the blood brain barrier to make serotonin. ALSO, taking a bit of melatonin at night, 20 min before sleep, has helped some to SPARE there serotonin levels by reducing how much serotonin is used to convert/make into melatonin for sleeping. This may help issues like fatigue and cravings.

Omega oils will help in many ways including mood and cravings.

Ketosis is very hard for many people to maintain. Some persons who have metabolic x or metabolic syndrome can tolerate nothing more than almost zero carbs. This was studied by a European research team and reported on in the Atkins diet. (frequently referred to as fat fasting) For those persons, they often have to alter there diet dramatically for a time to see the ketosis hold. This doesn't work as well, and is not healthy for any person not facing that problem.

Another possible detractor from ketosis is how the carbs are counted. If you are using alot of sweetners, splenda for instance, you need to count almost 1 carb per packet. Splenda is NOT carb free in large quantities. Also, if you are getting in too much dairy it will change things. Watch your herbs, spinach, mushrooms, onions, green/red/yellow/orange peppers, garlic, romaine lettuce quantities. ALL of these will add sneaky carbs. If you use caffeine alot, monitor and cut that back as some people will produce insulin as a response to caffeine in their system and, that will pull you out of ketosis. Read labels!! Anything that says zero carbs but lists a form of sugar in the ingredients HAS CARBS. It just is below an fda threshold for counting. Same is true of a < 1g of carb notation. Anything that says zero carb but includes sugars should be counted as .5 carb and anything that says <1g and includes sugars is a 1g in our world.

Don't forget to check any medicines or supplements you are taking. They can use sugars, whey/dairy product, or starches in the production of the binders. If you take enough it may be adding in on what is the slow down.

Additionally, watch how much protein you get. DON'T eat any extra quantities of protein (meat or ip) if you don't NEED IT. Some people have the ability to convert excess protein to sugar and will have an insulin reaction. This is also true of some people being able to "break down" sugar alcohols. Theoretically, sugar alcohols are indigestible so no insulin response. For the not so lucky few even sugar alcohols will pull them out of ketosis.


Good luck! Talk to the coach! Let us know if you figure out the culprit.
Carla

wow - that's alot of great info Carla!

-Teresa

Thanks! I hope it is helpful.

Just saw this... REALLY excellent post, Carla. Thanks!

Carla--I agree that was excellent information--thanks!!!

I just did a ketostic that my friends son uses for his diabetes. I just finished 1st week and down 11.2lbs. My ketones registered as trace only one step up from negative on the colour chart. That does not seem to be that I am in Ketosis!
Any thought anyone, where should I be on the colour chart for ketosis.
Thanks

Anywhere from trace to moderate is fine for most people. If you lost 11.2 pounds in a week you are very likely in ketosis. If you are getting in all your water and staying well hydrated you will dilute your urine ketones and, as a result, get the lighter reading. If you search last week or the week before threads you will find someone who posted about ketosis and that having the darker purple colors might actually indicate you are not in as effective a ketosis as you are in the trace to moderate range.

When I check I am at the small range most days. I drink alot of water too.

Thanks so much for the info! I think I will purchase some sticks to keep track of it. Have a happy sunday!!!

Where I can get the ketostix? Are they expensive and does anyone think it is benefitial to measure? My coach hasn't mentioned these.

Thanks!

the ketostix u can buy at jsut about any pharmacy 8.99 for 50