Ketogenic Diet - Powerful Dietary Strategy for Certain Conditions

[Jones]

Re: Ketogenic Diet - Path To Transformation?

Are the bones any use at this point?

Depending on how soft they are I have eaten them. I ended up with a broth that some knuckles and toe bones that I'd missed picking out after making a broth out of trotters. After cooking in a slow cooker on low for around 48hrs the bones were soft enough for me to easily bite through. It's kind of like having croutons in soup.

If you are having problems with constipation this is something I'd approach with caution though. I've noticed that when I get the meat/fat/bone ratio incorrect towards too much bone with my dogs they really have to strain to go.

 

[Aliana]

Re: Ketogenic Diet - Path To Transformation?

I have to say this last transition has been almost as difficult as last year. Apparently I was unknowingly eating too many carbs and protein and was not in full ketosis. The past week I spent mostly crawling from my sofa and bed to my office chair. Was a bit depressed as well, which happens when I am really tired. There is also ragweed pollen in this area that is off the charts, which is not helping. However, in comparison to past years, I am barely feeling the effects other than an occasionally runny nose, but only if I am outside for long. The good news is I spent the time reading the articles and watching youtube videos. My knowledge of biology is scant, so these videos have been most helpful and I am finding this subject more and more interesting. Learning is fun!!!

I am drinking the bone broth and have been checking the ketostix regularly, and according to the reading am in moderate ketosis. Today I think I turned a corner as I decided to climb the five flights of stairs up to my office – but very slowly so as not to raise my heart rate too much. Then I went to the gym and lifted weights after work– am not looking forward to tomorrow morning but am happy to have finally had the energy to do this.

The one thing I am hoping for is some final help in alleviating adrenal fatigue. That seems to be the one area that has defied all my efforts at improving. My energy seems to be up and down, and I still wake up feeling like I have been hit by a truck in the night. Forcing myself to go to bed early is still difficult. Many months ago, I purchased some cortisone, but stopped taking it when I ran out since everyone was reducing supplements anyway. So am now only taking basic things like Vitamin C, Magnesium, Kelp, digestive enzymes and some Vitamin D /K and fish oil capsules (3 per day). Am wondering if I should just keep doing what I am doing and be patient, or try taking some more supplements to support the adrenals. I would really prefer to just let my body heal itself through the diet, though.

 

[nicklebleu]

Re: Ketogenic Diet - Path To Transformation?

Am wondering if I should just keep doing what I am doing and be patient, or try taking some more supplements to support the adrenals. I would really prefer to just let my body heal itself through the diet, though.

I guess that's what I would do ... Don't forget, it took us years to drive us into this state and we only have been appying the change in diet for a few weeks now. The body takes time to heal, be patient.

:)

I would also be cautious with cortisone, as longterm use further depresses the adrenal glands ...

 

[Aliana]

Re: Ketogenic Diet - Path To Transformation?

Am wondering if I should just keep doing what I am doing and be patient, or try taking some more supplements to support the adrenals. I would really prefer to just let my body heal itself through the diet, though.

I guess that's what I would do ... Don't forget, it took us years to drive us into this state and we only have been appying the change in diet for a few weeks now. The body takes time to heal, be patient.

:)

I would also be cautious with cortisone, as longterm use further depresses the adrenal glands ...

True - I forget my age sometimes and just how long I have been eating wrongly - and thus just how long it will take to repair the damage...patience patience!

Was never happy about taking cortisone, but was willing to try anything at that point, and I was taking really small amounts - maybe too small to make a difference!

 

[Gaby]

Re: Ketogenic Diet - Path To Transformation?

Most often fat, if it makes problems, it is about 6-7 hrs after the last buttered tea. I cannot take extra digestive tabletts at the moment since my order was after two weeks canceled and now I have to wait again.

How about adding some apple cider vinegar to your fatty broth? That helps digest the fat while you wait for digestive enzymes. Some HCl will also help.

 

[Scottie]

Re: Ketogenic Diet - Path To Transformation?

Well! It ain't over until the fat lady sings, apparently.

Yesterday, I slept in really late. In the morning, I was okayish, but by the afternoon, I could barely stay awake, every part of me hurt, and I was NOT in a good mood.

I was so achy that I couldn't walk up the stairs without my leg muscles burning and aching (these are the same muscles that can handle twice my body weight during a workout). My knees hurt, and even my TOES were hurting!

According to the ketostix anyway, I was in strong ketosis the whole time.

Digestion was totally normal during this "event".

Then I took a cold shower in the early evening, and that seemed to perk me right up, although it felt much colder than normal - almost like I was feverish or something. At dinner I wasn't really hungry like usual, so I ate less. Then I slept a million years again.

We'll see what happens today. So far, so good...

I will also note that several days ago, I had some particularly fatty broth, and WHOA! Within 2 hours, the fat had left the building. Not sure what that was all about, but I'm guessing I was getting more than enough fat already... Or maybe more than enough fat for that particular day. Who knows.

 

[Thomas Alan]

Re: Ketogenic Diet - Path To Transformation?

This morning I started weighing each portion of food that I eat. I am writing down results in grams. After a few days I will have a baseline of my diet. Then I can calculate the fat/protein/carb content of my current diet and make adjustments based on what I have learned.

I had some of the my first batch of bone broth for lunch yesterday. Not only is it delicious, but in the afternoon and evening I felt great. Relaxed, thinking more clearly, more energy. Bone broth is a bit of a hassle to make but well worth it. I'll make more first of the week. Leaving the fat on the bone this time. :)

Mac

 

[seek10]

Re: Ketogenic Diet - Path To Transformation?

I will also note that several days ago, I had some particularly fatty broth, and WHOA! Within 2 hours, the fat had left the building. Not sure what that was all about, but I'm guessing I was getting more than enough fat already... Or maybe more than enough fat for that particular day. Who knows.

I also observed this, even after 3 weeks, after fatty meals, with hour or two I end up going to toilet . Probably dead mtDNA cleansing process , I think.

Update from my side, Consistently doing alternate day IF, on keto diet, stretch exercises (moderate to high ). I had some challenges in getting bones as my local butcher keep on forgetting to get it for me. Finally I got some bones. Back to bone broth. During my carb days, I used to get headache when I doesn't take food, some how on IF days I feel very mild headache. I am hoping that headache will disappear with bone broth.

 

[Ennio]

Re: Ketogenic Diet - Path To Transformation?

I think that I am at a point where I am having just enough fat that isn't making me run to the loo, but that fills me up pretty well with the reduced protein intake. For the past two mornings I have started by having a small bowl of bone broth followed by four slices of bacon, two eggs, and a small sausage patty more or less.

For lunch, another bowl of bone broth followed by a piece of sausage link or small but fatty pork chop. I sometimes add a big dollop of butter into the broth and it seems to be a good way to help balance out the protein to fat ratio. Another thing I like for lunch or even dinner is thinly sliced prosciutto ham rolled up with a tablespoon of butter in it. Five of these tasty things and I'm good to go.

Last night I had a small portion of paleo-kiche which contains chopped ham steak, cooked down lard or cracklings, and eggs (among other things) and spices, and it was outstanding! I had just a few small pieces of pork chop with this and that was that. So it seems to help to have a nice variety of foods so that the diet remains interesting and so our minds don't tell us we need excess protein or carby things that can reduce our ability to go into full ketosis.

 

[Alana]

Re: Ketogenic Diet - Path To Transformation?

So it seems to help to have a nice variety of foods so that the diet remains interesting and so our minds don't tell us we need excess protein or carby things that can reduce our ability to go into full ketosis.

I think this is an important point, especially for those who are still transitioning and getting used to eating fat. It can be like a fun challenge to try to find delicious ways to consume more fat.

I lost about a kilo this past week, but I had gained a couple at the start, so I am not complaining. I also feel tired and foggy-brained if I exceed my protein intake (I was stressed one day and I gorged on a big - though fatty - pork chop, but that made me more tired and stressed, so lesson learned).

I have no problem eating broths (to which I add liver pate and lard) and restricting my protein intake, I don't feel cravings for carbs anymore (yei!) nor do I feel that I need more food, but my biggest challenge so far is the workout. When I get to it, I just do it, but it has been only once a week. It is really helpful to read everyone's accounts of what exercise regime you all follow, and how stronger you all feel. I had to redirect my narrative that says "I hate working out", to something that more or less says: "Feeling stronger physically will translate in feeling stronger mentally and emotionally as well, since every change in one aspect of us affects all the others". I just finished reading the autophagy papers (thanks Psyche!) and the whole idea that this cellular process can be our only defense against evil viruses (a cellular process that is generated by the KD AND the resistance exercise practice) has only strengthen my resolve! So, for anyone else who finds any aspect of this new lifestyle challenging, consider that it is not only for our own personal well-being, but if at anytime there's a virus outbreak, we'll be able to be healthier and offer our help with ourselves as examples. OSIT.

 

[Hesper]

Re: Ketogenic Diet - Path To Transformation?

I just recently re-introduced butter to my diet and whoa, does my body hate that!! The evolution of my fat intake has gone from coconut oil in the beginning, to butter (since I couldn't find anything else in the area) to rendered beef tallow since I found copious amounts at _uswellnessmeats.com So it's been a few months since I've had to dip into any butter reserves but, once I ran out of tallow here at the house and decided to reintroduce butter I had just the nastiest experience I've had in a long time. Utterly, mind-numbingly painful!

At first I thought, after reading the latest in this thread, that it could be that I was getting a lot of fat and it was just running through me. But it doesn't sound like anyone else has been too physically distressed besides the stools. Anyways, I decided that, while I'm waiting for an opportunity to go pick up some more lard (I store it at a family member's in bulk) I'd get some ghee. I can tolerate that a lot better, but tallow is looking more and more like heaven to me. It's just too bad I can't find any pork lard. So I'm a lot better now, but it'll take a while for things to get back to normal, I think. Ugh!

 

[Gawan]

Re: Ketogenic Diet - Path To Transformation?

How about adding some apple cider vinegar to your fatty broth? That helps digest the fat while you wait for digestive enzymes. Some HCl will also help.

Thanks, I started already wondering about if there is a natural helper too. But HCI did arrive today and did already help out.

 

[monotonic]

Re: Ketogenic Diet - Path To Transformation?

Gawan, lemon can be used as well because it has citric acid, whereas vinegar has acetic acid. Vitamin C also works, as it is acidic too.

 

[mcb]

Re: Ketogenic Diet - Path To Transformation?

I have been down near zero carbs for nearly a week now and the dreaded GI problems have not materialized this time. I am feeling more fatigued than usual as I readapt, but it is not all that bad and doesn't interfere with my work. There is noticeably less fermentation now. I have been somewhere in the 30-50 g/d range for the past year, so this is not a huge adjustment for me.

There is some extra gas still in the morning when I wake up, and something in my lower abdomen is a little sore, especially when the cats stomp on it. It seems to be my colon. Nothing severe, though. I have noticed that on and off all along, in my battles with troublesome gut bacterial.

One issue I have run into is that all the bacon for sale at Whole Foods Market contains sugar. It has been that way for a long time, and I have been buying a variety that has less sugar than some of the others. I have lost track of the amount of sugar, though, and I wasn't able to find out how much it was last week. The packaged bacon is labeled, but the bulk bacon I buy is not. It seems there is a bacon shortage that has been going on for some time, and the packages of what I buy were sold out.

I have heard some information lately about gut bacteria issues that was interesting, but I was listening to podcasts during my commute while I was doing other things as well, and I have lost track of what I heard where. I am going to try to track it down and listen again, without distractions, and I will pass it along if it seems useful.

I have switched back to taking the bus & light rail to work instead of driving and light rail, which gives me a couple of hours on commute days (3 days a week) to listen to podcasts and audiobooks, and read Kindle/print books. I need to make note of it, though, when I hear something interesting in a podcast!

 

[nicklebleu]

Re: Ketogenic Diet - Path To Transformation?

I have now been on the changed diet for around 3 weeks (restricted protein, high fat, eccentric resistance training and IF) and have been able to drop my weight to 71 kg. The last time I had this weight was when I was 16. All other efforts (and there were many!) always resulted in some weight loss, but I hit a brick wall around 73kg and eventually piled on weight again and then some!

So this has really been a breakthrough for me! I'll keep on doing what I do now until I have reached my target weight (which is around 68 kg) and then I'll reduce IF and up the fat intake some more ... What a journey!

And BTW ... I feel mostly great and energetic (intermingled with some days with heavy legs and tiredness ...)