How Much Ketosis Do You Need to Lose Weight?

How much ketosis do you need to lose weight? Can protein shorten life? And does eating extra fat really make you fat?

Get the answers in this week's Q&A with Dr. Andreas Eenfeldt:

Clarification concerning Dr. Fung's article "Does Eating Extra Fat Make You Fat?"

If you review the responses to this article, there is total confusion. One even points out the article contradicts information previously provided on the site.

While it is reasonable to conclude that most people visiting the site would be overweight and perhaps obese, if Dr Fung is correct, it would seem there would be cautions provided throughout the site concerning eating too much fat. I'm confused so please clarify.

Thank you,
Sylvia

I think we do caution people not to eat too much fat. We say that for the best long-term weight loss effect, you should only eat more fat if you're hungry.

If you're not hungry and you have excess weight to lose, don't eat.

Adding lots of extra fat to your meals - when you don't need it to feel satiated - will indeed slow down weight loss.

Best,
Andreas Eenfeldt

At what level of ketosis can I expect to lose weight?

How long will it take before the body hits ketosis? I am only registering on the second colour of the strip tests, can I expect to lose weight at that level?

Only been going just over a week, think I am fairly strict, maybe a bit of full cream milk in tea and coffee instead of cream all the time. Is it unrealistic to be in ketosis at this stage?

Shelley

You can certainly lose weight on that level of ketosis. It's possible to lose weight even without ketosis. Ketosis is simply a definite sign that you're burning lots of fat and that the body's fat-storing hormone insulin is low. It's helpful for weight loss but not necessary.

Best,
Andreas Eenfeldt

What's your view on low protein intake and longevity?

In Dr. Rosedale's video, he proposes that we eat 0.6 g of protein per kg of body weight (or lean mass? I can't remember). Either way, it's quite low. For someone weighing 56 kg (123 lbs), I can only eat 33 g of protein a day. That amounts to 5 eggs. I eat more than double that amount of protein a day. What's your view on the "optimal" protein intake?
Thank you,
Angel

Dr. Rosedale could be right, and there are many people that believe what he believes. But it's not really proven. So it's also possible that life on a low protein level will just feel very long. ;)

Personally, I feel better at a somewhat higher protein level - about double that or more...

Best,
Andreas Eenfeldt