Fat for energy, low cals and leeching from muscles

[G-Mom]

I have been wondering about this for some time now. Why would we, as fat-burners ever leech energy from muscles if we eat too low below our BMRs (starvation mode entered or not), since we have completely switched from glycosis to ketosis? Since our cells no longer seek out glycogen, why would the cell go to the muscle when too few calories are eaten? Would they not go to the fat stores instead?

[divaindubai]

Re: Fat for energy, low cals and leeching from muscles

Good question....I have been wondering about that myself !

[G-Mom]

Re: Fat for energy, low cals and leeching from muscles

A bit of bumpage for perhaps 2big or not2late...

[2big4mysize]

Re: Fat for energy, low cals and leeching from muscles

LOL LOL well I will try to make this in simple words so let me know if my 2BIG brain starts leaking too much.
in starvation mode the body needs proteins for cellular repairs and will go to its normal reserves which are the free pool amino acids in the organs and muscles. we will attack the organ stores first then the muscles and them the muscle tissues themselves for the needed proteins.

Next the same chemical that tells the fat cells to release fats for fuel also tells the liver to fracture proteins, rebuild 3 carbon carbohydrates, and glycerol molecules to make 6 carbon sugar molecules too which was why DR Atkins said don't eat your Atkins too high proteins.

so it isn't just energy and for overweight folk it isn't energy much at all it is cellular protein needs as building blocks for the body.

[cajunthunder]

Re: Fat for energy, low cals and leeching from muscles

Okay, now I have a related question..... at least I think it's a different, but related question....

I have seen websites that tell you to eat between your BMR and AMR to lose weight. If you eat below your BMR, then your body goes into starvation mode.... Then I've seen sites that tell you to eat a bit below your BMR to safely lose weight.. confusion!

So I guess my question is, if while in ketosis, our body uses our stored fats for fuel, why wouldn't it just use those stored fats if we aren't eating enough calories to equal our BMR?

Did that make sense?

[2big4mysize]

Re: Fat for energy, low cals and leeching from muscles

the human body is a remarkable object and it can adjust your metabolism slower to match that lower then BMR caloric intake you are giving it by shutting off non life essential systems like reproductiona nad some other stuff on a cellular level. Then it starts to sklow down the production of chemicals that stimulate your metabolism like thyroid and shutting off production of or lowering the amount of prodiuction of enzymes and other molecules needed for reations on a cellular level. you will not notice this right away but will be wondering why on your 1000 cal diet you are not losing as well as you were on your 1500 cal diet in a few weeks.

this shutting down has a cascading effect as many body systems use the same enzymes and hormones. So for healthiest weight loss eat where your body needs to be on a reguklar bases (I'm not talking about one or two days too low or too high)and remember those BMRs are general for everybody your size and weight and they do not know if you are a fluffy 200 pounder or a muscle bound 200 pounder. the energy needs for both are very different and the same caloric eating will have very different results. You can get a more accurate estimate of your BMR if you use the Katch McArdle forumla which is based on lean body mass.

Happy low carbing.

[G-Mom]

Re: Fat for energy, low cals and leeching from muscles

Thanks 2big, I knew you would come through for us!!

[tentcamp]

Re: Fat for energy, low cals and leeching from muscles

What is the Katch McArdle forumla?

[nobodyknowsme]

Re: Fat for energy, low cals and leeching from muscles

BMR (men and women) = 370 + (21.6 X lean mass in kg)

To get weight in kg, divide your weight in lbs by 2.2046226

[G-Mom]

Re: Fat for energy, low cals and leeching from muscles

Now if I could just figure out how to get my real lean body mass...

[tentcamp]

Re: Fat for energy, low cals and leeching from muscles

Thanks. So now to make sure I understand this correctly, I should be eating at least the number of calories that I get with this formula to keep my metabolism and body systems from slowing down and going into starvation mode? This number for me is 300 more calories than the other calculators that I have been using, does this sound right?