Ketones
The Diesel Fuel of the Body
The Lion Diet is a combination of a proper low net carb eating plan and Water Fasting. The result will be times of ketosis. Ketosis is when your body is burning fat and producing ketones. Ketones are the byproduct of fat burning. There are 3 types of Ketones: Acetoacetate, beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetone. The majority of ketones are produced in the liver. This is why ketones are like diesel fuel. Diesel fuel is the byproduct of making kerosine. So, our bodies can be fueled by both the kerosine and the diesel.
Ketones are very powerful. They can easily pass through the the blood brain barrier to fuel our brain cells. Many scientists believe the ketones even ramp up our metabolism. It’s like Ketones tell our cell’s mitochondria to burn lots of fuel and take care of themselves, because there are no Carbohydrates available. Studies have shown that a person burning 2200 calories per day on a typical diet to maintain weight will actually need 2500 calories per day while in ketosis! This is why you often see faster weight loss.
It is a normal process for your body to go into ketosis. This means that you have used all the Glucose that is available in the blood, your insulin levels have dropped and now you need to use fat reserves. Here are some common times that you could be in ketosis:
- Sleeping
- Exercising
- Fasting
- Low Carb Diet
What are Ketones:
According to Cleveland Clinic:
“Ketones, or ketone bodies, are acids your body makes when it’s using fat instead of glucose for energy. Your body gets most of its energy from glucose, a sugar that mainly comes from carbohydrates in your diet. If you don’t get enough energy from glucose, your body breaks down fats for energy instead. The breakdown releases ketones that travel through your bloodstream. The ketones fuel your body’s tissues and eventually exit in your urine (pee).
It’s normal (and safe) to have some ketones in your blood because it’s normal for your body to use its backup energy source — fats — when there’s not enough usable glucose.”
Scientific explanation of Ketones and Ketosis
3 Types of Ketones
Acetoacetate:
Vitamin C is required for the biosynthesis of collagen, L-carnitine, and certain neurotransmitters; vitamin C is also involved in protein metabolism [1,2]. Collagen is an essential component of connective tissue, which plays a vital role in wound healing. Vitamin C is also an important physiological antioxidant [3] and has been shown to regenerate other antioxidants within the body, including alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) [4]. Ongoing research is examining whether vitamin C, by limiting the damaging effects of free radicals through its antioxidant activity, might help prevent or delay the development of certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, and other diseases in which oxidative stress plays a causal role. In addition to its biosynthetic and antioxidant functions, vitamin C plays an important role in immune function [4] and improves the absorption of nonheme iron [5], the form of iron present in plant-based foods. Insufficient vitamin C intake causes scurvy, which is characterized by fatigue or lassitude, widespread connective tissue weakness, and capillary fragility.”
Vitamin C Roles in the Human Body:
- Antioxidant: Powerful Antioxidant that helps protect Cells from damage by free radicals. This reduces the risk of diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
- Collagen Synthesis: Essential for the biosynthesis of collagen. Collagen is a protein involved in clotting and maintaining the structure of skin, blood vessels, bones and connective tissue.
- Immune Function: boosts the immune system by stimulating the production and function of white blood cells. It enhances the skin’s defense system and helps wounds heal faster.
- Absorption of Iron: It improves the absorption of iron.
- Cardiovascular Health: Associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Eye Health: Reduces the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.
Simple Explanation of Ketones (non-scientific)
Signs of Vitamin C Deficiency
Vitamin C deficiency is common. A Vitamin C Deficiency can occur even while eating a sufficient amount in 1 sitting. Unlike the fat-soluble vitamins, the body stores very little Vitamin C. We do need to consume it on a regular basis throughout the day.
Prolonged Deficiency can lead to Scurvy.
Early symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Joint Pain
- Poor Wound Healing
- Dry Skin
- Red Spots
- Easy Bruising
- Gum Inflammation
Signs of Vitamin C Toxicity (Too Much)
It is possible to have too much Vitamin C. But, it is very rare. Generally, excess amounts just pass through the body. The symptoms include Nausea, Diarrhea and Kidney Stones.
Best Food Sources for Vitamin C:
- Fermented Foods like Sauerkraut
- Spinach
- Kale
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts
- Cauliflower
- Lemons
- Limes
- Oranges
Summation
As you can see. Vitamin C plays a major role in Immunity-as we thought. But, it is also very important to many other functions of the body from head to toe. Vitamin C is important for our Skin, Eyes and entire Cardiovascular System. While most of us eat enough veggies to get enough Vitamin C, we may not be eating them throughout the day. Do you eat these foods or take the supplements 4-5 times a day? We can be deficient based on the timing of our consumption.
Recommendation
This is why I recommend a multivitamin as the backbone to the Alpha Swoletauri way. I also recommend the addition of a D3+K2 supplemet. With proper Micronutrition, we can focus on other aspects of our health. If you aren’t taking a multivitamin, you have no idea what could already be in the process of happening…stroke, heart attack, blindness.
Jer Scare
My real life example…I was lacking Folate. It led to blood clots. It could have led to Stroke, Heart Attack, Heart disease. My doctor could have said no more exercise, ice baths, sauna, your heart can’t take it. Then, 1 micronutrient deficiency could have caused a ripple effect through my body and life. Not only could my heart have been effected, but I then I also couldn’t experience the benefits of exercise, ice baths and sauna.
Conclusion
This is why I say take the multivitamin and eliminate that variable. If you’ve noticed, signs of micronutrient deficiencies are minor. Bone Weakness, Bleeding, Bruising, Swollen Leg (My real life example). Results from extended deficiencies are major. Blindness, Heart Disease, Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Stroke, Vascular Calcification. Most of us don’t run to the doctor for something minor. Something minor probably doesn’t warrant a full blood analysis. So, we figure it out when something major happens, The Stroke. Let’s be smart and beat it to the punch!!
Bonus: Great Video to Help with Diet Choices
Fat-Soluble Vitamins:
Vitamin A
The Alpha Swoletauri System prioritizes multivitamins as part of the Lion Diet. As I’ve mentioned before even when eating a healthy diet, we can be micronutrient deficient. My personal experience led me to having high blood pressure and 3 blood clots in my leg. As I investigated root causes for my conditions, I found that many nutritional deficiencies could effect the circulatory system. These nutrient deficiencies cause a ripple effect in the body and are very hard to pinpoint….Read More…
“Vitamin E is a fat-soluble nutrient found in many foods. In the body, it acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are compounds formed when our bodies convert the food we eat into energy. People are also exposed to free radicals in the environment from cigarette smoke, air pollution, and ultraviolet light from the sun.
The body also needs vitamin E to boost its immune system so that it can fight off invading bacteria and viruses. It helps to widen blood vessels and keep blood from clotting within them. In addition, cells use vitamin E to interact with each other and to carry out many important functions.“
Vitamin D Roles in the Human Body:
- Bone Health: Enhances the absorption of Calcium and Phosphorus from the gut.
- Bone Growth: Unstable molecules that can damage cell membranes, proteins, DNA. They potentially lead to chronic diseases like Cancer.
- Immune System: Regulates the immune system.
- Cell Differentiation: Promotes cell differentiation and inhibits Cell Proliferation. This is a cancer prevention role.
- Insulin Regulation: Plays a role in insulin production and glucose metabolism.
Vitamin K Roles in the Human Body:
- Blood Clotting: Essential for synthesizing proteins required for blood coagulation and activates clotting factors to prevent excessive bleeding.
- Bone Health: Regulated the binding of Calcium in Bones and activates a protein critical for bone formation and mineralization.
- Cardiovascular Health: Regulates the calcium levels in blood vessels
- Cell Metabolism: Helps cell’s Mitochondria make ATP for energy.
Water-Soluble Vitamins:
Vitamin B
Vitamin B Roles in the Human Body:
- B1: Helps convert Carbohydrates to energy, supports nerve function, and plays a role in muscle contraction.
- B2: Aids in energy production, supports cellular function, growth and development and helps maintain healthy skin and eyes.
- B3: Supports the metabolism by helping to convert nutrients to energy. Essential for DNA repair and the production of stress and sex hormones.
- B5: Crucial for the synthesis of coenzyme A, which is important for fatty acid metabolism and the synthesis of hormones and neurotransmitters.
- B6: Involved in Amino Acid metabolism, red blood cell production and the creation of neurotransmitters…….