I need some arsenal

[JaxMama]

..that Atkins does not cause ketoacidosis.

I don't see my best friend for 7 months and she comments on my weight loss. She asked how I did it and I told her Atkins. She got angry, telling me I was going to die from Ketoacidosis on Atkins. I asked her who died from that on Atkins that was not a diabetic? Of course she used her RN AND CRNA medical training as a defense. And before I could get a word in edge wise she told me I was suppose to up my carb limit and not be on the diet for more than 6 weeks. I told her I had been on the WOL for 2 months with no end in sight.

Ugh, thank goodness my husband chimed in and said I eat more than 20 grams of carbs a day. I had to explain I am eating some berries, yogurt, nuts and veggies. She still said "I don't want you to die before the cruise." I explained to her that normal people who have normal diets can have ketones in their urine/blood. I saw it this week looking at medical records on an individual. He wasn't on a Atkins but he was a beginning diabetic.

I should have mentioned to her that her other friend who is anorexic will also have ketones spilling from her urine too. But it's ok to be anorexic but I can't eat protein and fat? I was getting angry how she thinks she is always right just because she has an education two steps down from a physician.

I left it as is telling her I wasn't going to die from Atkins, especially before the cruise next month.

So what, I am going to die because I choose not to ingest white flour and sugar by the time I turn 30? Or because I have a trace amount of ketones spilling from my urine twice a day when I check?

Thank you for letting me vent. Any suggestions to get her off my back without offending her?

[WetBanana]

Re: I need some arsenal

Here's what I found for you...

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-difference-between-ketosis-and-ketoacidosis.htm

Although it may sound like they mean the same thing, there is a big difference between ketosis and ketoacidosis. Still, these two terms are often confused with each other. Aside from possessing the same root word, the misunderstanding is likely due to the fact that ketosis and ketoacidosis are both metabolic processes that involve the breakdown of fats in the body. However, ketosis is a normal metobolic function. Ketoacidosis, on the other hand, is a life-threatening medical condition of particular concern to those with diabetes type I.

Ketoacidosis is a state of toxicity in which there are elevated levels of acids called ketones in the blood. This condition occurs when insulin levels are too low and the liver attempts to restore energy by metabolizing fats and proteins due to a lack of available carbohydrates. Since ketone acids slowly degrade into acetone, the breath often smells fruity or similar to nail polish remover. Without immediate medical attention, this condition can induce a diabetic coma and, possibly, death.
Ketosis also occurs as the result of the liver burning fat for energy and producing ketone acids as a by-product. However, this state is often facilitated by the intentional withdrawal of carbohydrates as a primary fuel source in favor of proteins. In fact, many members of the medical community refer to diet-induced ketosis as an act of willful starvation. If a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet sounds familiar, it’s because this is the basis of a very popular weight loss program known as the Atkins Diet. Such diets call for 30-50 percent of the total calorie intake to come from protein in order to kick the metabolism into gear to burn fat.


While diets such as Atkins do seem to promote weight loss, there are a number of known hazards associated with keeping the body in a state of ketosis. For one thing, it can put stress on the kidneys and eventually lead to kidney disease or failure. Studies have also shown that elevated cholesterol levels are linked to diets high in protein, as well as an increased incidence of cancer. However, the latter consequence is likely the result of being deprived of antioxidants rather than the effects of ketosis.

Some health and medical experts contend that a low carbohydrate diet may help improve certain conditions, including obesity. For instance, the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Diabetes Association now recognize “low-carb” diets as a suitable approach to weight loss. However, these organizations also express concerns about the long-term effects. In contrast, the American Dietetic Association, the National Academy of Sciences, and the American Heart Association strongly oppose low-carb diets due to the risks associated with ketosis. In fact, they recommend a minimum of 3.75 ounces (100 grams) of carbohydrates per day to avoid ketosis.

Ketosis/Lipolysis vs. Ketoacidosis | barnson.org

So to be clear: you simply cannot get into a state of ketoacidosis by eating low-carb. In fact, even Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics cannot enter into a ketoacidic state by eating low-carb. You can only get into that state by consuming too much high-glycemic food and producing little to no insulin to stabilize this out-of-control-high blood sugar (or by being so insulin-resistant that the insulin does no good... and low-carb eating fixes insulin resistance).

Diabetic ketoacidosis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ketosis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ketosis and ketoacidosis - Weight Awareness - Health information, help, news, directory and community

Just a few links for you to read up on. You should be able to block all of her negativity pretty quickly after brushing up on it.

[Grant]

Re: I need some arsenal

"You must spread some reputation around before giving it to WetBanana again"

[guekjian]

Re: I need some arsenal

Great great reply WetBanana!!! Thanks for the education!

[mission to lose]

Re: I need some arsenal

Great great reply WetBanana!!! Thanks for the education!

Yes, thanks!

[JaxMama]

Re: I need some arsenal

Thank you I am going to go to those sites and print up the information. Hopefully I won't die because I have ketones in my urine before that happens

[guekjian]

Re: I need some arsenal

... Hopefully I won't die because I have ketones in my urine before that happens

LMAO!!!

[atkinsgal08]

Re: I need some arsenal

>>..that Atkins does not cause ketoacidosis.>>

It's in the book ... Ch. 6, 11.

I think the line you're looking for is:

"In the minds of laypeople (and even some ill-informed doctors) ketosis is often confused with diabetic ketoacidosis. The latter is the consequence of insulin-deficient subjects having out-of-control blood-sugar levels, a condition that can occur as well in alcoholics and people in a state of extreme starvation. Ketosis and ketoacidosis may sound vaguely alike, but the two conditions are virtually polar opposites. They can always be distinguished from each other by the fact that the diabetic in ketoacidosis has been consuming excessive carbohydrates and has high blood sugar, in sharp contrast to the fortunate person doing Atkins."

<smile>

[JaxMama]

Re: I need some arsenal

I was trying so hard last night not to get mad or throw her out of my house I didn't even think to get the book. I am going to look it up today and tag it.

[poobears1972]

Re: I need some arsenal

Sounds like she thinks she knows a little more than she really does and this isn't the first time from the imply of your post. Do you really want to cruise with her? LOL

Personally I wouldn't throw a bunch of articles her way. I would just tell her to get out her med journals and look up ketosis and ketoacidosis and learn the differences. Let her do the research, think it would be good for her to see maybe she doesn't know everything after all and who knows what else she will learn along the way that may help her out with other patients later.

Have fun on your cruise, DH and I are crusing in July.

[JaxMama]

Re: I need some arsenal

Yes poobears, I will cruise with her and we will have a good time. She has been there for me when I thought my husband was cheating on me, when I had surgery and when I had my daughter. She is a good friend, just a know it all. Honestly, were like sisters

Part of it also stems that I am usually the biggest friend and I weighed 160 just 14 months ago. That was my heaviest and I have always struggled with weight. I think sometimes, as most women do, they get jealous of each other.
But although I am not as skinny as my friends even after losing over 20 lbs I am ok with it. She may not be. I am only speculating. I did this for me not her, not my husband. Ok, so I did this for my child too so she wouldn't grow up with a fat frumpy mom.

Back on track:
I do Atkins to lose my excess baby weight and I am getting close to maintenance

My best friend usually eats very little 1-2x a day and after 3 bites, she is full
One friend is a bulemic and anorexic. Depends what day. She is severly underweight and needs to eat a donut.
One other friend eats and works out and has great genes to stay skinny

So we all have our own way of dealing with weight and keeping it off. This way works for me. I like it I feel great and I told her that.

I think I will let her do her own research as you suggested. The problem is she is going to medical school in America which preaches carbs as your main food source so she truely believes that for everyone else.

Thank you for your replies. I needed some reassurance I wasn't going to die from ketoacidosis.

[poobears1972]

Re: I need some arsenal

Oh sorry I was joking about cruising with her. I figured she must have good qualities too, I mean after all she likes to cruise, how bad could she be

Even though here carbs are held to a strange higher power than they should be medical terms are black and white. She should quickly realize that there is a major difference and she was just mistaken. Even if she doesn't admit it, she should ease off after that.

I have labs done twice a year and have a set coming up in about 6 weeks. Will be interesting to see if anything is different. Although they were all in good ranges before. My "good" cholesterol was 1 pt low, of course they told DH his was 1pt low too and to fix it of course they encourage proper diet and exercise. I think maybe they tell everyone that to get them off their bottoms and moving.

[JaxMama]

Re: I need some arsenal

Poobears you didn't offend me but I was bashing her and I felt bad. So I had to point out her good qualities. Maybe she will see I don't eat unhealthy on the cruise and get off my back. I will probably tease her about how little she eats so it'll be all good.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: I need some arsenal

>>Maybe she will see I don't eat unhealthy>>

It depends on how she defines "healthy eating" though, eh?

[poobears1972]

Re: I need some arsenal

Where are you going on your cruise?