Comments on: Low-carbers beware the breathalyzer

By: Jay

Jay — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 13:18:48 +0000

I have a question about the body using protein for its glucose needs. If the body uses 75g of protein to provide the body with glucose, like the earlier post stated, does that mean if I eat only 75g of protein on a 0 carb diet my body will not get the building blocks it needs because all the protein is being used for energy? The reason I ask is because I have been doing an experiment with myself eating 0g of carbs. I have been doing this for close to 2 years but have encountered some problems. I am thinking because I am eating too much protein (eating about 20%- 25%) and not enough fat (75%-80%). The problems I have been having are very similar to hypothyroid only without the weight gain. (loss of electrolytes I need to supplement constantly with salt magnesium and calcium, I have dry hair, dry skin, water retention, brain fog, low sex drive, heart arrhythmias sometimes, and a joint that aches when I don’t supplement magnesium ect.) When I supplement with electrolytes I fell better and alot of the symptoms reside but I want to know what is causing this problem when I eliminate carbs completely. If this is truly the diet humans were meant to run on then why do I feel this way? Why can the Inuit eat this way but I can’t. I am thinking that my body is using the protein as energy and not being used as building blocks which is why I have poor hair and skin as well as many other symptoms. I tried increasing my fat intake to 85%-90% but I got bad diarrhea and nausea. I would also wake up with morning sickness when I consumed this much fat. So if I was able to consume only 70 g would I need to eat more protein for the energy or can protein be used as energy and building blocks?

It could very well mean that your protein is all being used to maintain blood sugar, but I wouldn’t presume to diagnose you over the internet. If you are having the problems you describe, you need to seek the services of a physician skilled in the use of a low-carb diet in short order.

Best–

MRE

By: Lee in Nashville

Lee in Nashville — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 18:58:17 +0000

Paul on 2/9/08 asked and you responded:

Q. … while one is in ketosis, is alcohol any more dangerous to your organs or to oneself in general than when one is not in ketosis?

A. As far as I can tell, it shouldn�t be.

I have to say, Dr. Eades, that I am absolutely thrilled to find some information on carb-control and alcohol consumption. The most I have been able to research is to take the calorie count into consideration and that the body processes ETOH as a priority. I have been in mild ketosis while consuming moderate amounts of alcohol for 10 weeks now and have lost 20 pounds but have been wondering if I am doing damage to my body using ETOH in combination with a carb-controlled diet. I understand that your answer is not necessarily definitive, but thanks for your opinion!

ETOH actually helps form ketones. At least that’s how I remember it from my medical biochemistry class.

By: Russell Betz Jr.

Russell Betz Jr. — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 21:38:56 +0000

If your strength training your muscles need the protein/amino acids to rebuild muscle, NOT for energy. That’s what Carbs are for, energy; yes most people eat way too many, but it’s not healthy to go on an extremly low carb diet. Your body was meant to run on carbs like oatmeal from the canister and other non-processed carbs and foods in general, exception would be fruits (Healthy but not the best carb for weight loss). I went on a low carb diet and my body lost muscle mass which is bad. Yes whenever you lose weight some muscle will be loss, but not as extreme if you eat healthy carbs.

And what gives you the authority to make these unequivocal pronouncements? Which, BTW, are incorrect.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 09:32:50 +0000

Hi there

One of my friend went on ATKINS and dr that she was visiting said that her liver was giving in due to her eating too much protien and too little carbs. How is this possible as the was in ketosis all along?

Thanks for the wonderful explanations and posts.

I’m thinking of going on Atkins as I have a constant ‘tiredness’ due to a thyriod gland being underproductive. Is it save or should I consult with my gp first?

I think your friends doctor should maybe take a look in a basic biochemistry or physiology textbook before making remarks about doing one’s liver in by not eating enough carbs.

It is always preferable to check with your physician before starting a new nutritional regimen.

Good luck!

MRE

By: Paul

Paul — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 03:41:06 +0000

Thanks for the article it was pretty informative. I do have a question however, while one is in ketosis, is alcohol any more dangerous to your organs or to oneself in general than when one is not in ketosis?

As far as I can tell, it shouldn’t be.

By: Kat

Kat — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 16:22:57 +0000

I have found this article extremely interesting as I have a son who goes days with out eating and days with out any sleep. In early November he was pulled over for “no front plate” and ended with a DUI…he did indeed drink about 5 hours earlier(2 beers)…but there was no way he should have blown a .123…
About 2 weeks later…pulled over again..you guessed it..no plate…and once again was administered a breathalyzer…and blew a .08…he swears up and down that he had no alcohol…but he had also not eaten in over 36 hours…(he has a screwy work schedule and the no eating..is simply due to “forgetting and passing out for 10 hours to go back to work…his no eating is simply a “no time and forgot” type of thing…)
How would one go about “prooving” that his body was indeed in ketoacidosis…at the time I did ask the judge to administer another breath test followed by a blood test…the judge denied the tests…when he was released from jail…(after 60 hours…and eating a small amount) he was given a breathalyzer test via the police department and blew a mere .003…
I had obtained a hand held breathalyzer and administered the test at home…over a period of 10 days…he blew any where from .00 to .05 at different times…i would administer the test to myself after he would blow high..and the reading would be .00…gave the test to 7 year old and again .00…something doesn’t seem right…any where you can send me to obtain more info on showing that he was indeed in ketoacidosis quite possibly scewing both tests?
Thank you again!
Concerned Mom

I don’t know where to go for more info. The post was about the one article I had read. The easy thing to do is to ask for a blood alcohol test, which measures the alcohol and not the ketones. I think (but I’m not sure) that one can make that request at the time of arrest. Another thing to do would be to keep mints or Lifesavers or other small candies in the car. Sucking on a few of them should while driving should stop ketosis ASAP. The other suggestion would be to get a front plate for the car.

Cheers–

MRE

By: Tony Ward RN

Tony Ward RN — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 04:16:04 +0000

if acetone mimics ETOH and is released via air exchange is it possible to test acetone levels and equivocate for glucose levels thereby producing an equivalent glucose monitoring?

No, because you won’t have any acetone in your breath unless you’re producing a lot of ketones. And you won’t be producing ketones unless you’re fasting, going low-carb or are a type I diabetic.

Cheers–

MRE

By: Lou Allard

Lou Allard — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 02:14:09 +0000

Dr Mike : You wrote the best explanation of a complex topic I have ever read. If all teachers had you ability it would be a different country.
I just lost 70 lbs doing “low fat” then it stopped
working ( I was eating too much cereal ) so I switched to Atkins and I’m loving it.
Thank you for a great website.
Lou

Hi Lou–

I’m glad you enjoy it.

Cheers–

MRE

By: Metabolism and ketosis » Michael R. Eades, M.D.

Metabolism and ketosis » Michael R. Eades, M.D. — Wed, 23 May 2007 03:50:05 +0000

[...] Since posting the piece on ketone bodies and their causing breathalyzer problems I’ve had enough comments and emails to make me realize that there are probably many people unsure of what ketones really are, where they come from and why. Let’s take a look at the goals and priorities of our metabolic system to see what happens. I’m going to try to keep the biochemistry to a minimum, so fear not. [...]

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 23 May 2007 03:16:52 +0000

Great answer, thank you. The usual clap-trap about the “danger of ketoacidosis” on a low-carb diet is even more nonsense than I would have guessed.

Blood sugar gets all the press for Type I diabetes, but it sounds like a broader metabolic malfunction. If high blood sugar doesn’t get you, something else will.

Hi Dave–

Clap trap is exactly what it is.� There is no way for one to become ketoacidotic in the diabetic sense of the word unless one is diabetic.� In truth, if you’re in ketosis you are ketoacidotic.� Ketones are an acid.� They are in the blood.� They make the blood a little more acid.� So, therefore, when you’re in ketosis you’re in keto-acid-osis.

In type I diabetes people get into a severe, life-threatening diabetic ketoacidosis, which is totally a horse of a different color.

Cheers–

MRE�