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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How Low is Low-carb?
• "Low-carb diets" can refer to a range of carbohydrate intake from less than 130
grams a day to a very low-carb or ketogenic diet where the goal is 20-35 grams
of non-fiber carbohydrates per day. The goals are to reduce carbohydrate
intake, which reduces your body's insulin requirement and, in ketogenic diets,
to produce ketone bodies for fuel.
What is Ketosis?
• Glucose (from sugar or other carbohydrates) is the most common fuel source
for the body. Ketones are produced by the liver as an alternate fuel source
when glucose is not available. Ketosis is the presence of ketones in the
blood. Most people develop low levels of ketosis after an overnight fast or
carbohydrate restriction. This low-level dietary ketosis is not harmful and can
be therapeutic. Ketone levels induced by a low-carb diet will never approach
the levels induced by frank insulin deficiency as in diabetic ketoacidosis. The
breath of people in ketosis can be described as "fruity."
How Will This Affect My Lipid Panel?
• A low-carb diet has higher dietary fat but has positive effects on the lipid
panel. HDL (good cholesterol) can increase, and triglycerides usually decrease.
LDL and total cholesterol usually remain stable, especially after the new weight
is maintained. Cholesterol can go up during weight loss. In almost all cases this
is fine. Discuss with your doctor.
What Else Can Help?
• A low-carb diet is part of a multifaceted lifestyle change. Adequate sleep,
physical activity, reduced stress, learning to cook, support from friends and
family all will help you restore your health.
Are There Any Side Effects?
• There are a few possible side effects, and most are minor and easily
managed. See Table 2 on the following page to review the most common
ones, and how to resolve them.
