Ketosis and ketoacidosis are often confused, but ketosis is a normal metabolic function while ketoacidosis is a life-threatening medical condition. Ketosis can be induced by a low-carb, high-protein diet, but there are risks associated with keeping the body in a state of ketosis, such as kidney disease or failure. Some health experts recognize low-carb diets as an appropriate approach to weight loss, but others strongly oppose them due to the risks associated with ketosis.
While it may seem like they mean the same thing, there’s a big difference between ketosis and ketoacidosis. However, these two terms are often confused with each other. Besides having the same root, the misconception is probably 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 metabolic function. Ketoacidosis, on the other hand, is a life-threatening medical condition of particular concern for people with type I diabetes.
Ketoacidosis is a toxic state 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 fat and protein due to a lack of available carbohydrates. Because ketone acids break down slowly into acetone, your breath often has a fruity or nail polish remover-like odor. Without immediate medical attention, this condition can lead to a diabetic coma and possibly death.
Ketosis also occurs because the liver burns fat for energy and produces ketone acids as a byproduct. However, this state is often facilitated by the intentional withdrawal of carbohydrates as the primary fuel source in favor of protein. In fact, many members of the medical community refer to diet-induced ketosis as an act of intentional starvation. If a low-carb, high-protein diet sounds familiar, that’s because it’s the basis of a very popular weight loss program known as the Atkins diet. Such diets require 30 to 50 percent of your total calorie intake to come from protein to jump-start your metabolism in order to burn fat.
While diets like Atkins appear to promote weight loss, there are a number of risks that can be associated with keeping your body in a state of ketosis. For one thing, it can put stress on the kidneys and ultimately lead to kidney disease or failure. This is unconfirmed, however, and research is ongoing. Some studies show that high cholesterol levels are linked to high-protein diets, as well as a higher incidence of cancer. The latter consequence may be a result of antioxidant deprivation rather than the effects of ketosis. Research on the topic is ongoing.
Some health experts and doctors claim that a low-carb diet can help improve some conditions, including obesity. For example, the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Diabetes Association now recognize “low-carb” diets as an appropriate approach to weight loss. However, these organizations also express concerns about long-term effects. Conversely, 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.
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