Everything You’ve Always Wanted To Know About Ketosis But Were Afraid To Ask.

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Low Carb & Ketogenic Diet, Podcast

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Do you know what the similarities are between epilepsy, Type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), heartburn (GERD), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), Parkinson’s Disease, dementia, mental illness, schizophrenia, bipolar, depression, narcolepsy, and sleep disorders, treating cancer, autism, migraines, chronic pain, brain injury, stroke, and kidney disease?

They can all be positively effected by a low-carb, high-fat, ketosis diet…

…and my guest today, Jimmy Moore, is going to tell you all about it.

Jimmy is world’s leading low-carb diet blogger and podcaster.

Last year, he wrote the book Cholesterol Clarity with coauthor Dr. Eric C. Westman, a practicing internist and low-carb diet researcher, and I interviewed him about that book in the podcast episode “The Shocking Truth About Cholesterol & Why You Probably Don’t Even Need To Test For It.

Well now, Jimmy's back with a new book that pretty much answers everything you've always wanted to know about ketosis but were afraid to ask.

keto clarityThe new book is called Keto Clarity: Your Definitive Guide to the Benefits of a Low-Carb, High-Fat Diet and in the book, Jimmy shows you how a low-carb diet can be much more than simply as a means to lose weight, and how ketosis produces not only a powerful therapeutic effect on a wide variety of health conditions (that most people think requires medication to control) but can also be a pretty incredible biohack for both physical and mental performance.

The book includes interviews from twenty of the world’s authorities on low carb and ketosis diets, along with a step-by-step guide to help you produce more ketones and track your progress, real life success stories of people using a ketogenic diet, and more.

During my discussion with Jimmy, you'll find out:

-Why not all low-carb diets are created equal…

-How to find your carbohydrate tolerance level…

-How to determine your personal protein threshold…

-How much saturated fat is too much…

-The biggest low carb mistakes that you can make…

-Why you may not be producing adequate ketones…

-And much more!

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like:

Ketosis Dangers: How To Maximize the Nutrient Density of a Low Carb Diet with Terry Wahls

A Deep Dive Into Ketosis: How Navy Seals, Extreme Athletes & Busy Executives Can Enhance Physical and Mental Performance With The Secret Weapon of Ketone Fuel with Dr. Dominic D' Agostino

The Ultimate Guide To Combining Fasting and Exercise: Everything You Need To Know with Dr. Peter Attia

Do you have questions about ketosis, Keto Clarity or the high-fat, low-carb approach we discuss in this episode? Leave your thoughts below!

Ask Ben a Podcast Question

36 thoughts on “Everything You’ve Always Wanted To Know About Ketosis But Were Afraid To Ask.

  1. getit2work says:

    Hi Ben,
    I am a 54 year old age grouper triathlete and have been following LCHF diet for more than a year now. Have experienced most of the benefits that LCHF diet is said to have. One thing I have observed, though, is my "Resting Heart Rate" elevated from my prio-LCHF days of high 40's (46-48) to low 60's (60-62) after switching to LCHF diet. I am pretty sure such change occurred AFTER I adopted LCHF diet and really can not think of anything else that could have caused it (same life style and training plans, etc.) I googled extensively and read a few cases of LCHF athletes with elevated HR but mostly in training or race instead of in resting mode.
    Question: Is an elevated heart rate (resting or/and during exercise) a confirmed result of LCHF diet? If yes, why? Because the blood gets thicker so the heart has to pump harder? And, most importantly, is such elevated HR a good thing or bad thing?
    Been following your podcast for 3+ years. Love it.
    Thank you from Taiwan

    1. That would be a great question for the podcast. Can you call it in? http://www.speakpipe.com/bengreenfield

      1. getit2work says:

        Just did. I recorded my question with my real name :)
        Thank you for the opportunity.

      2. getit2work says:

        Hi Ben,
        You have released 3 "Listeners' Q&A" podcasts since I followed your suggestion to call in and have my question recorded. Maybe you just have a long backlog of questions to go catch up. Hope to hear my question answered on your podcast soon. Or, if mine is not going to make it, could you share your thoughts here? Thanks!

        1. We have ~100+ questions in the queue at any given time. You might say that we have a bit of a "backlog".

          1. getit2work says:

            Thank you for replying, Ben. Good luck in Kona!

        2. Cey says:

          Ben, this is a great question that deserves a closer look. Any comments aside from the huge backlog would be appreciated.

  2. Vahlstedt says:

    Hi Ben,
    I am eating a lot of different salads and therefore also use much olive oil. Do you think that I could get too much olive oil? Are there any side effects of eating much olive oil? Do you think I should replace it with other oils like macadamia and coconut?
    Looking forward hearing from you!

    1. Yes, it is possible to get too much. There is also often a issue with the quality of the oil. Take a look at my response to Dave on this page https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/10/episo…

      1. Vahlstedt says:

        Many thanks for your answer.
        Interesting to read. I understand that quality is important. I always seek the best quality when it comes to food.
        If I understand you right, it would not be an issue to consume like 3-4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil per day, considering a good quality oil?

        1. Not an issue at all…if it's the real stuff! You should read this: https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/oliveoilhoax….

          1. Vahlstedt says:

            Fascinating story!
            I live in the Netherlands, but I think that the same issues occur here too (except the long shipping time).
            There are some small shops here, that are specialized and only sell olive oil. I will drop by and ask them when their olive oils have been harvested and how the handling has been.
            Thanks again and greetings from The Netherlands!

  3. LizX11 says:

    Hi Ben,

    I am a traveling veterinarian and can often work a 60-90 hour work week during the spring/summer. I am struggling to loose weight as it is very difficult to have any kind of consistent sleep or workout schedule. Do you think a ketosis diet would be safe/beneficial to someone in my position? Thanks in advance!

    1. Unless you have some underlying medical reason not to, you can certainly give it a try. Just a word of warning though – It is a tricky lifestyle to maintain, especially while travelling (where you don't have control over all your meal prep).

  4. kevin_stuttle says:

    Ben, in the past you have said that you believe that long term ketogenic diets could be harmful to health (with exception to therapeutic uses) but beneficial to performance in endurance sports, is still your stance or has research been done that says a keto diet is safe for overall health?

    1. Harmful to your health if you are following a ketogenic diet for the sedentary population ….and doing tons of exercise. e.g. eating 20g of carbs a day and doing Crossfit. I delve into this in way more detail in other podcasts, but basically it's safe if you modify it appropriately…if you don't, it's not. And you still may need thyroid/liver support….

  5. lookslikekaren says:

    Hi Ben, considering your comment above regarding thyroid 'lowering' when on a ketogenic diet… do you think that a ketogenic diet may not be suitable for someone with Hashimotos? I don't want to mess up something that is already a bit messed up. I have read that carbs are necessary for T3 conversion… any thoughts on this?

    1. It can be suitable in some scenarios. Read the section in Keto Clarity on that. If you're exercising heavily I would not recommend.

  6. gassaned says:

    One along the same question i made before and please if its answered both would be great. If Someone like a gallbladder removal person or someone normal who wants the shift but target for a 50% fat, 30% carbs from good sources, and 20% protein at the beginning would it be enough to start a kesosis state in the blood ?? or there is no grey line, but either a real low carb , moderate protein really high fat over 60% or no doing anything at all??? Thank you

    1. I talked about this in episode #230. Take a look at my answer to Chris on this page – https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/2013/02/episo…

  7. Jeanninerenae says:

    I need to note that I've had very poor eye sight my entire life and would be considered disabled without contacts or glasses, I’m only 30… I've been on a low carb high fat diet for about 4-5 months now, I had my annual eye exam 2 weeks ago and it was the first time that my eye doctor did not increase my prescription. I was pleased and never put 2 and 2 together until this podcast. I have also seen remarkable improvement with brain clarity, headaches, energy levels and most importantly pms, specifically a huge reduction in cramping. What an exciting time!

  8. Scott says:

    Has Jimmy ever mentioned his thyroid lab test results? A keto diet usually hammers the thyroid, so I’m curious how he deals with that.

    1. Really interesting thoughts in the book about why thyroid "lowering" is actually a natural reaction to the life extending benefits of a ketogenic diet…hard to have a high metabolism and also live long. You need to read that part of the book because obviously that just skims the surface…

  9. Adam York says:

    Ben,

    I think the QME device that yoli2k is asking about is something that you said you have pre-ordered. You mention it at 10:38 into the conversation with Jimmy, and you say that it can measure glucose and triglycerides with a drop of blood on your IPhone. I also would be interested in a url for this device/company if you have it. Do you have to purchase testing strips for this thing too?

    1. Think you're talking about the cue.me. Go check it out and all your q's will be answered…

  10. Ron says:

    Ben, in the interview with Jimmy Moore there was some discussion about measuring ketone levels in the blood. What's the target value for nutritional ketosis?

    1. Widely varies based on goals (read the book!) but 1.0-3.0mmol is generally a starting range.

  11. yoli2k says:

    I can't seem to find the QME meter, can you give the website please?

      1. yoli2k says:

        Hi Ben, I was talking about the one you use.

        Thanks,

        Yolanda

        1. That ketonix one is what i have now….

          1. yoli2k says:

            Hi Ben, Thanks so much!

        2. Dan says:

          Does it only measure acetones and not ketones? Mine always measures green or yellow.

  12. SheilaMikulin says:

    Is there a link to the podcast. Don't see it…Sheila

    1. The new website is acting up… please stand by.

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