There are many ways to achieve ketosis, but one of the most popular is fasting. While fasting, there are a few key things that happen in your body that can help you lose weight and improve your health.
When your body reaches ketosis due to intermittent fasting, you’ll notice five benefits instantly. Your body burns fat instead of sugar, ketone levels are increased, blood sugar levels drop, insulin levels drop, and your body starts to repair damaged cells.
Keep reading to find out what happens when your body is in ketosis.
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What is Ketosis?
Ketosis is a metabolic state in which the body burns fat for energy, rather than carbohydrates. This process occurs when there is a lack of glucose in the blood, and the body is forced to break down stored fats to produce energy.
Ketosis can be achieved through a variety of means, including fasting, a low-carbohydrate diet, or extended periods of exercise. While ketosis is generally considered safe, it can cause side effects such as headaches, fatigue, and nausea. However, these symptoms are typically mild and resolve on their own.
Ketosis is a safe and effective way to lose weight naturally, and it has several other health benefits as well. It can help to improve mental clarity and focus, increase physical energy levels, and stabilize blood sugar levels. In addition, ketosis has been shown to promote healthy cell turnover and protect against chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
How does Intermittent Fasting get you into Ketosis?
The body typically uses carbohydrates for energy. When you fast, your body doesn’t have any food to break down into glucose, so it starts to burn fat for energy. This process is called ketosis. In ketosis, the body produces ketones, which are compounds that can be used for energy. It is hard to know if you are in ketosis, but there are easy signs to know if you are in ketosis without testing. Intermittent fasting is an effective way to get into ketosis for a few reasons.
- First, it allows the body to burn through its glycogen stores (the stored form of carbohydrates). Once the glycogen stores are depleted, the body has no choice but to start burning fat for energy.
- Second, it helps to reduce insulin levels. When insulin levels are high, the body is more likely to store fat. But when insulin levels are low, the body is more likely to burn fat. Intermittent fasting helps to lower insulin levels by giving the body a break from all the sugar and carbs that can trigger an insulin response.
- Finally, intermittent fasting helps to increase growth hormone levels. Growth hormone is responsible for burning fat and building muscle, so increasing growth hormone levels can help you reach your fitness goals faster.
5 Key Things Happening in Ketosis While Fasting
There are a few things that happen during ketosis that are beneficial for weight loss and health. Here are the 5 key things that happen during ketosis:
Your body switches from burning sugar to burning fat
When you fast, your body has no sugar (glucose) to burn for energy. Instead, it turns to stored fat for energy. This process results in the production of ketones, which are a byproduct of fat burning. The switch from burning sugar to burning fat is beneficial for several reasons.
First, it helps to promote weight loss by reducing the amount of sugar that is stored in the body. In addition, it can help to improve mental clarity and focus by providing a consistent source of energy.
Ketone levels increase in the blood
When your body burns stored fat for energy, ketone levels increase in the blood. Ketones can be used by the brain and other tissues for energy. The most common type of ketone is beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), which is produced in the liver when fatty acids are broken down. BHB can be used by all tissues in the body, but it is especially important for the brain, which cannot use other types of fuel very effectively.
Blood sugar levels drop
When you fast, your body has no sugar (glucose) to burn for energy. As a result, blood sugar levels drop. This is beneficial for people with diabetes or prediabetes because it can help to regulate blood sugar levels. In addition, fasting can also help to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation.
Insulin levels drop
When insulin levels are high, blood sugar levels are also high. This can lead to a host of problems, such as increased cravings for sugary foods and drinks, weight gain, and an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes. However, when insulin levels are low, blood sugar levels are also low. This can help to reduce cravings and promote weight loss. In addition, lower insulin levels can also help to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The body starts to repair damaged cells
Fasting is often associated with weight loss, but it may also have other benefits for the body. In particular, fasting may help to boost the autophagy process.
Autophagy is a process whereby the body breaks down and recycles damaged cells and debris. This helps to keep the body healthy and prevent the build-up of harmful toxins. Usually, autophagy occurs at a slow rate, but it can be accelerated by fasting. When the body is not busy digesting food and releasing insulin all day long, it has more energy available for autophagy.
As a result, fasting may help to clean out and repair the body on a cellular level. While more research is needed in this area, the potential benefits of fasting are clear.
Final Thoughts on Fasting and Ketosis
Fasting and ketosis are two popular methods for weight loss and improved health. Both approaches have been shown to be effective, but they vary in terms of how they work.
Fasting works by reducing the amount of time that you are eating, which can help to reduce calorie intake and promote weight loss. Ketosis, on the other hand, works by changing the way your body metabolizes food, which can lead to improved blood sugar control and increased fat burning.
Ultimately, the best approach for you will depend on your individual goals and preferences. If you are looking to lose weight quickly, then fasting may be the better option. However, if you are interested in improving your overall health, then ketosis may be a better choice. While online personal training, your trainer can guide you to your personalized nutrition. Whichever approach you choose, make sure to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new diet or exercise program.
