Ketosis is what the Atkins dies does for you. You lose weight because of poor health. You could do the same with a stiff combination of wiskey, tobacco and influenza. In fact, that combination might also bring on the same irritability, mood swings, memory loss and fanaticism.
Yes. No.
Ketosis is the presence of ketones ("short-chain" 2 or 4 carbon fatty acid molecules) in the blood. When serum glucose (blood sugar) is not available, the liver metabolizes fat ("long-chain" > 4 carbon molecules) to produce glycogen and ketone bodies. The glycogen molecules are then further broken down to glucose and water. The ketones are expelled in the urine and respiration.
Poor or good health has nothing to do with it. Just the bodies preference of getting energy from sugar or fat (for Atkins dieters body fat).
Gee, then why did my chronic fatigue disappear, why did my skin rashes improve, why did I run faster and sleep better and work harder? BTW, ketosis is the NORMAL state of the human body -- reliable, regular meals with enough starch to keep us out of ketosis are a civilized innovation.
You could do the same with a stiff combination of whiskey, tobacco and influenza.
If that were true, America would not have a weight problem.
In fact, that combination might also bring on the same irritability, mood swings, memory loss and fanaticism.
That's only a short term phenomenon. Once the body fully adapts, you'll feel better than ever.
Oh, my goodness. What on earth caused you to believe such nonsense? I'm not going to say that Atkins is the ideal way of eating -- note that I didn't say diet -- for everybody but I'm willing to say that 80% or more Americans would benefit by drastically lowering the amount of carbs in their diets. It's not just that it's good for weight loss, but it increases energy and normalizes amounts of glucose and cholesterols.