Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

1

I am 0 carb and in ketosis due to SIBO, however, I am not losing any weight. In fact, on some days I gain weight.

I do not want to lose weight because it is not my primary goal - I am fine just the way it is going because I feel better and have much more energy.

This question is only because I want to understand the mechanics.

I assumed that if you were in ketosis, you automatically had to lose weight. For those who believe in calorie counting let me assure you that I eat less than 1,500 calories per day and I should have been losing weight.

So... ketosis does not equal weight loss. 0 carb does not equal weight loss. Why?

flag	asked Dec 19 at 5:14 VB 12.3k●1●7●40

JayJay · Answer 1 · 2012-12-19 18:02:32Z UTC

Cause its not your goal and your eating enough fat. There is a ton of research through johns hopkins I believe regarding keto for epilepsy in children. They aren't trying to lose weight either and in fact grow quite normally with good health.

Now you should understand why some people report issue with keto....its actually that they have issue with too low calorie (well many of them anyhow). You eat enough so you have energy and are maintaining your weight. Little to nothing to do with nixing the carbs in many cases.

Christina · Answer 2 · 2012-12-19 05:36:09Z UTC

1

How long have you been doing a ketogenic diet?

Based on your tag, I see that you only eat meat. Do you eat a lot of fat too? Because if you only give your body protein, it will convert that to glucose instead of using fat, and that could hinder fat loss.

Also, if you do not have a significant amount of fat to lose, it can take more time, since your body wants to hold onto the fat you have, until it is sure it can lose it, because you are feeding it enough.

So don't be afraid of calories, keep your body well fed, so it does not feel like it has to go into starvation mode in order to keep the fat you have.

answered Dec 19 at 5:36

Christina
1,382●2●8

	Not long enough. I do not eat a lot of fat because I just cannot. I have tried, but I just cannot make myself to do it. I will try harder. I am not afraid of calories. I will try to add more fat, I just need to figure out a way. – VB Dec 19 at 6:33
	Cooking with fat is a great way, also eggs, avocado, cashews, and sausage are great sources as well! Do you take fish oil supplements? Those help as well. What is it about fat that is hard for you to deal with? – Christina Dec 19 at 6:48
	I have a reaction from eggs, avocado and nuts (I have tried macadamias). It is related to my SIBO and all-meat diet definitely has a healing effect. I am just wondering when and how to reintroduce carbs. A combination of FODMAPS and GAPs perhaps. I will try in another week or two... or whenever I feel ready. Thanks for your answer. I cannot take fish oil supplements, I react. Same to all other fats that are not a part of meat and it is hard to find too much fatty meats. I need to buy a duck or something. – VB Dec 19 at 8:16
	Unless I misunderstood the original post, she's not trying to lose weight, just wondering why she isn't, since she's doing keto and is (presumably) running a calorie deficit. – Amy B. Dec 19 at 18:08
	True. I just wanted to know - why? Because it is interesting for me to figure out what makes people gain/loose weight. Carbs? Gut bacteria? Calories? – VB Dec 19 at 18:31

Crowbar · Answer 3 · 2012-12-19 06:55:00Z UTC

1

How are you determining that you are gaining weight? By the scale? By measurement? Is it possible that the weight is water or muscle?

answered Dec 19 at 6:55

Crowbar
7,168●2●17

	I weight myself every single morning. – VB Dec 19 at 8:09
	And how much weight are we talking about? – Crowbar Dec 19 at 15:21
	+ 4 lb so far, but I was down 2 this morning. – VB Dec 19 at 15:59
	Oh, yeah, that's most likely water. How long has it been going on? – Crowbar Dec 19 at 18:08
	6 days - I know, not long enough :) – VB Dec 19 at 18:30

April S. · Answer 4 · 2012-12-19 08:02:56Z UTC

1

I asked a question similar to this exactly one year ago today! Hope it helps you understand a little bit about why some people just don't do well on very low carb diets.

http://paleohacks.com/questions/84328/is-there-something-we-can-attribute-to-as-to-why-some-people-dont-do-well-on-zc#axzz2FTyu28Jf

answered Dec 19 at 8:02

April S.♦
11.9k●1●13●47

	No, I do VERY VERY WELL on 0 carb diet. In fact, I am doing so much better - if it is not a recovery, it is very close. I know I have to work on my gut biota now. – VB Dec 19 at 8:10
	Thanks for the link, but, again, only now I understand why so many people recommend 0 carb as an initial state - Atkins, GAPS, Dukan, whatever. I bet it has a healing effect on gut biota. I just need to figure out when and how I am going to re-introduce some vegetables. – VB Dec 19 at 8:13

David Gomes · Answer 5 · 2012-12-19 09:12:45Z UTC

1

I think your bigger issue is your calories. For your current weight. If you drop too low, you're body will go into a starvation mode and horde every last bit of it causing your losses to stop in their tracks.

answered Dec 19 at 9:12

David Gomes
81●3

	I have tried eating more. And I am gaining weight more as well. I know about a starvation mode. No, I am not starving - I eat very decent portions. So... not sure. Thanks for your answer though. – VB Dec 19 at 9:41
	Again, weight loss is not my goal. My goal is healing and I think it is definitely going in the right direction so far. – VB Dec 19 at 9:42

RK · Answer 6 · 2012-12-19 12:14:06Z UTC

Have you seen this: http://www.eat-real-food-paleodietitian.com/paleo-diet-and-SIBO.html The downloadable pdf is great for reference.

I did this SIBO protocol for about 2 months. It took about 1 months before I saw any weight loss or pain relief. However, once it kicked in it was awesome. I have since backslid and introduced too much fruit, and I'm hurting again. And I also have a problem with appetite - I reach a point where I just cannot eat anymore.

As for the mechanics, I wish I had a link for you; but my holistic doc says that the SIBO is part of such generalized inflammation, and that can stall the weight loss. After a month on the plan, where my inflammation and gut pain finally went to zero, I was stunned. I have never felt that good in my life! Glad I read this today - I needed some motivation!

Hepoberman · Answer 7 · 2012-12-19 18:06:51Z UTC

1

Ketosis does not equal weight loss, this is true. Not absorbing enough calories does.

Excellent Nutritional ketosis explanation by Dr. Attia

answered Dec 19 at 18:06

Hepoberman
350●7

August · Answer 8 · 2012-12-19 18:46:35Z UTC

1

I can see this level of fluctuation easily. The dehydrating effects of red wine can make the scale go up and down farther than what you've mentioned in the comments.

answered Dec 19 at 18:46

August
11.4k●4●16

	I don't drink... I only eat meat :( ... or :)? – VB Dec 19 at 19:00
	You drink water, use spices, eat different amounts of meat at different times. Even humidity has an effect. I've noticed I can wake up really dry some mornings. – August Dec 19 at 20:00
	Me too, me too! I am like completely dehydrated even though I drink like a horse! (or fish). – VB Dec 19 at 20:31
	Are you carrying salt around too? I've taken to putting salt in my coffee & tea. I even put it in water from time to time. I am starting to wonder if paleo man could drink ocean water. – August Dec 19 at 21:52
	I don't think that drank it (it tastes nasty) but ocean salt is SO PALEO!!! Maybe the used some ocean water for cooking? I salt everything beyond belief. I am in love with sea salt. – VB Dec 20 at 15:07

sarah · Answer 9 · 2012-12-19 19:24:02Z UTC

1

I am struggling with SIBO and don't know where to start- I would love to see those two links of success stories.

answered Dec 19 at 19:24

sarah
11●1

Here are two stories:1.lyndsayjohnsonblog.com/2012/09/… 2.ibsgroup.org/forums/topic/… – VB Dec 20 at 14:40

Ketosis and weight loss

9 Answers