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Posted by: Ryan ® 02/20/2003, 14:59:42 Author Profile Mail author |
Hi, all! Looks like some interesting stuff has been going down as of late. (Hi, Martin! a note for you at the end) I wanted to pop in to ask a question for Craig C, Cally, or anyone else with an advanced degree in chemical/biochemical/medical/physiological, etc. sciences. Or, for that matter, anyone else who has something to add. I've been on a low-carb diet for a couple weeks now, and have been losing a significant amount of weight. I realize that much of this weight is water and I know that gluconeogenesis accounts for some loss of lean tissue. But as I understand it, the longer that you adhere to a low-carb diet, the more that the body adapts to it and the greater the percentage of calories burned in the form of ketones. (the acetyl coA being derived primarily from fat) But I need some help with a few of the implications. First, I have heard that the ph of the blood during ketosis causes a loss of calcium in the bones. Does the body have any compensation for this, or are you just screwed? (would calcium supplements help?) Second, do you happen to know if oxygen is utilized any differently during ketosis? Are there any advantages/disadvantages in ketosis, with regards to oxygen needs? (for example: are the red blood cells adversely affected, is there any difference in the crebs cycle, or any other factors which might affect respiration?) and finally third, aside from sudden displacement of organs, what harm is there in losing a lot of fat really quickly? (oh, one final thing: is it true that adipocytes can only give up a certain amount of their triglycerides, and then after that you are stuck with them at that size? In other words, if you have enough of them you could never get down to a truly low body fat percentage?) You guys know a lot more about this stuff than I do, so any help you could offer would be great! Now, Martin: After many delays (and much stress on everyone involved) Lenny's trial has been set now for early June. I have been subpoened to testify against him. (it's for his own good, because he thinks he's going to be out within a year on his insanity defense. While it's true that he was insane, and he is a victim of his illness, I can't let him get out so soon, with the nature of what happened.) If you can E-mail me, I would like to resume at least a semi-regular correspondence with you my dear friend! (fuddyfoo@hotmail.com) Ryan |
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Hello, Ryan!! Re: Low-carb diets -- Ryan Top of thread Archive
Posted by: Martin ®
02/20/2003, 19:28:35
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I am extremely impressed with the in-depth knowledge and intelligent caution you've displayed here. It's so great to know that you're taking such good care of yourself!
I'm also genuinely moved by the thoughtfulness, love, and compassion you've so clearly demonstrated to your friends in that part of your post directed towards me. I very strongly believe that you are making both the correct and the right decision, and I commend you for your principled stand. Your friends are fortunate to have a man such as yourself in their lives!
I'll email you shortly.
Your honored friend,- Martin
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Marty!! Re: Hello, Ryan!! -- Martin Top of thread Archive
Posted by: Ryan ®
02/20/2003, 19:51:44
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I want to also let you know that I agree with all of your recent comments concerning Iraq. It is amazing how narrow-minded some people can be, and blind to the facts at all cost, on both sides of the issue!
(and that may literally be true)You would think that all of us could learn a lesson from Winston Churchill. History repeats itself, doesn't it?
You know, I saw on TV last night some interesting things about Saddam's childhood. Apparently, he was abused by his step-father, and ran away to live with a loving uncle. They said that when he was a baby, his mom refused to look at him. She would have aborted him, in fact, if not for the prodding of her Jewish neighbors.(ironic) If these things are true, let it serve as a lesson to parents out there. The way they treat their children can plant psychological tendencies in their hearts which may end up affecting many many other people!
your friend,
Ryan
Modified by Ryan at Thu, Feb 20, 2003, 20:26:46
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Re: Low-carb diets Re: Low-carb diets -- Ryan Top of thread Archive
Posted by: Cally ®
02/22/2003, 14:49:43
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I’m sorry Ryan, physiology is not a topic I know a whole lot about. But, I can let you know my experience and observations concerning the low-carb diets, since I’m on one myself right now. I was skeptical of the validity of the diet initially. Largely because I read the Atkins book and found it to be full of unsupported claims and a lot of pseudo-scientific gibberish. But I could see it worked for other people so gave it a shot (there’s no shortage of things in the world that work, but not for the reasons the practitioners claim – chiropractics come to mind).
It worked out for me. My previous attempts to lose weight always resulted in a lot of muscle loss. That was not a problem for me with the low-carb diet.
As for your physiology questions, first, I wouldn’t put a lot of credence in most of the “metabolic” talk that surrounds these diets. I think the changes in fat utilitization and metabolism are best explained simply by the body’s response to long periods with zero insulin secretion, which is the main cue for the cellular fat production/usage. Things like the Kreb’s cycle and oxygen usage are separate issues and are very unlikely to be affected (for example, the Kreb’s cycle doesn’t care if acetyl coA comes from fat or glucose). The body is also very good at fixing changes in pH levels and I wouldn’t worry about calcium loss. Dietary intake and exercise are always far more important to bone maintenance anyway.
I can’t help you with the differences in triglyceride metabolism.
If your protein intake is high, losing weight too fast should not be a problem. This is more of a problem with low calories diets that trigger the body’s starvation response and result in muscle loss. As the body adjusts to this type of diet, weight loss becomes more and more difficult over time anyway. For best results, I would recommend daily low intensity exercise (you won’t have the energy for the high intensity variety.) This will maintain muscle tone and speed the results considerably.
Finally, when you reach your target weight I would switch to a moderate calorie, low fat diet. Low-carb diets are nearly impossible to stick to long-term, the limited range of foods is unpleasant and such factors as low energy level, dehydration, constipation and bad breath are not things most people want to live with forever.
Anyway, I hope this helps. Good to hear from you again, Ryan.
Good luck with everything.
Cally
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Thanks for the validation, Cally!! Re: Re: Low-carb diets -- Cally Top of thread Archive
Posted by: Ryan ®
02/22/2003, 17:44:07
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That's pretty cool that you just happened to check in after several months, and you just happen to be on a low-carb diet yourself! I have been away from the board for a while, as well.
I feel a little bit better about the diet, now. Interesting how low-carb diets are gaining acceptance, at least for short-term use.
If you check back in, I have one more question for you. I have found that I lose the same amount regardless of my vegetable fat intake. Do you it's possible that the body is unable to create triglycerides without the carbohydrates to form the glycerine backbone? If that is so, then it would be a fat free-for-all! Of course, I won't experiment too heavily without knowing for sure. If you have any ideas, or not, it's fine either way.
Thanks for your help, and good to hear from you!
Ryan
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