Conditions Responsible for Ketosis - Essay Example

Dr. Atkins’s diet is taken for this purpose.
Conditions responsible for ketosis
During the starving-like condition, the body burns fat. As carbohydrate level drops, the body turns to protein reserves, which results in nitrogen being released into the bloodstream. This causes an unnecessary burden on the kidneys as they try to excrete the excess urine, which happens due to the additional sodium loss. Similarly, the fatty acids are released into the bloodstream, as the fat gets burnt. This puts more pressure on the kidneys. If such a condition prevails for a longer time, Ketosis can occur, causing damage to the liver and kidneys. Therefore, many nutritionists are careful in prescribing ketogenic diets, which have low carbohydrates, particularly to pregnant women. However, these conditions can also result in reduced hunger and stable blood sugar level, caused by a chain of reactions taking place, as ketones are released.

Ketosis and body function
The activity of the brain gets improved in regularity and intensity, as can be measured through the electroencephalogram (EEG) test, which shows the brain cells being calmed down in ketosis condition. In addition, ketosis can be responsible for dissolving certain kidney stones, as they tend to sterilize urine against infection. However, there are many adverse effects of ketosis.
Adverse effects
These include dizziness, lethargy, weakness, diarrhea, and nausea, among others. Many people going through ketosis experience mental dullness and fatigue, while feeling sluggish. The body cells formless fat that is necessary for survival, in times of emergency. (Kunin, MD)

Basal metabolic rate

The human body requires a minimum number of calories for performing normal functions like breathing, chewing food, and keeping the heart and brain working. Basal metabolic rate (BMR) refers to this amount of energy, as many factors, including age, gender; physical activity, and body weight have a direct effect on BMR.
As exercise increases muscle power and activity, it results in increased BMR, and the increase can last even up to one hour after exercise, while regular exercisers can experience increased BMR for 48 hours, at a stretch. (Scott, 2008)

Factors affecting BMR
The main factors that are responsible for influencing basal metabolic rate include fat mass, fat-free mass, age, circulating leptin, and circulating thyroxine, as well as bone mineral content.
Studies confirm that Fat-free mass and fat mass are the major contributors to variation in BMR. This is revealed during the analysis of such studies, which show that the association of leptin concentrations disappears when the effect of free mass on BMR is removed. This indicates that the link between MBR and leptin concentrations occurs due to insufficient control for the effects of free mass. (Johnstone and Murison)