Confused about ketosis

[Neecy]

DANDR says that ketosis is a very desirable state to be in, that it means your body has switched to a "fat burning engine."

And yet, while doing some googling and reading other low-carb websites, I came across Jimmy Moore's blog (Living la vida low-carb) who states that as long as you eat less than 50 grams of carbs you *ARE* in ketosis regardless what the strips say.

Jimmy Moore’s Livin’ La Vida Low Carb Blog » LLVLC On YouTube (Episode 47): Ketostix A Low-Carb Guide, Not Really That Necessary

Another thread said that seeing ketones on a ketostrip is a bad thing because it means your body is 'spilling out' ketones its not using, and that you should lower your fat intake until you stop seeing pink/purple to ensure you're "using/burning" your ketones instead of spilling them into the urine.

Ketosis in an of itself does not signal fat burning as is commonly assumed. All it means is that your body is now adjusting to a lower level of carbohydrate and the body has to make more ketones to compensate. That's all it means.

In ketosis, it should be no surprise that people experience to varying degrees symptoms often associated with diabetic acidosis like abdominal pain, tiredness, increased urination, dry skin, dizziness, lack of hunger, breathing problems that seem like anxiety, confusion, bad breath, nausea, rash/hives, dark circles under eyes, dehydrated, facial flushing, etc. These symptoms are obviously mild as compared to ketoacidosis where ketones are VERY high and glucose in the blood is also high, making things even worst. But even then, you want no symptoms and a healthy body and mind, right? Then, you also want to be out of ketosis as soon as possible and not ever go back to it. You will suffer for it and never benefit from ketones. That's also why I don't think it's a good idea to carb-load on and off because you will experience ketosis regularly and never be keto-adapted. You may only really feel good on those days you eat carbs and 1-2 days after. One cheat day and you're back in ketosis and how long it takes to become keto-adapted again, I don't know but why ever go back to that awful transition period? Is is really worth it?

Can you say CONFUSED???? Who is right? Is ketosis bad or good? Should I show ketones on my strip when I start Atkins, but expect that they should disappear as my body "gets used to the amount" and burns them, and not worry that it means I'm "out of ketosis"?? If I eat less than 50 grams am I still IN ketosis??? Am I really burning fat?

[momtomany1]

The wiki information on this is actually pretty balanced and not that hard to digest.

Ketosis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The second pasted paragraph in the OP is a bunch of hooey. If I had the energy left over from worrying about storm prep I would hunt that blogger down and tell him so!

[eclectikat]

Well my understanding is that keytones are a bi-product that are eliminated through urine and the exhalation process as fat cells are burned for energy. And while I don't know the science "truth" of it because I am scientifically an IDIOT... my truth is that I am losing fat while in ketosis. Just like I have no clue how gas makes a car move... my truth is that when I gas the car up I can make it move easier!

Not sure what else to say other than you have to make a decision about who to believe. I call the DANDR my bible of sorts. I follow his advice and I am seeing results. Other than that... I guess I don't care what other opinions are out there!

GOOD LUCK

Kath