Ketogenic Diet with Dr Amir Qureshi

I was in Miami last week and got to spend some time with my friend Dr Amir Qureshi.  He is an orthopedic surgeon and mentioned to me he is experimenting with the ketogenic diet.  Naturally my curious mind kicked into high gear asking him questions about it and made sure to capture it on video to share with you!

Here are the key takeaways from our talk while checking out South Pointe Beach.

What is Ketosis?

Ketosis is when you no longer use glucose for fuel.

Glucose comes from the breakdown of carbohydrate.

Train you body to use ketone bodies for fuel.

Ketone bodies come from the breakdown of fat.

We eat way more carbs than nature intended for us.

Protein also breaks down into carbohydrate.

How it works:

Ketone bodies come from breakdown of fatty acids.  This process happens in the cells.

Your body’s primary choice for fuel is glucose.

When you starve your body of glucose, your body will use ketone bodies.

Blood brain barrier only ketones and glucose can cross through.

Used to treat diabetes with ketogenic diet, no insulin spike.

Insulin causes muscles and fat cells to take in glucose.

Blood sugar drops then you get hungry.

Drops blood glucose and you want to eat again.

Get really hungry really quickly.

Avoid insulin spikes.

Goal is to maintain a steady state.

Body gives you hunger pangs when you have low blood sugar.

Why do it?

You will get leaner as your body lets go of excess sugar/carbs.

Train body to use fat for fuel.

Man didn’t eat for a year 460 lbs. down to 180 lbs.  You can make it through not eating carbs.

Train your body to get in ketosis.

Exhaust body of glycogen storage.

Muscles store glycogen for fast energy.

Athletes need glucose for fast energy.

Marathoners use it for sustained energy over long period of time.

Exhaust body of glycogen storage.

How to do it?

No carbohydrate: Breads, rice, sugar

Minimize protein because it breaks down to carbs

Good foods to eat on keto:

Dark leafy vegetables.

Kale.

Broccoli.

Healthy fats: Avocados, Nuts, Coconut oil.

Eggs w/ yolk.

Lots of fat when eating protein.

Bullet proof coffee with grass-fed butter or ghee.

Coconut oil rich in medium chain triglycerides (MCTs).

Don’t Eat:

Unhealthy meats.

Carbohydrate.

How to test it out:

Consult with your doctor first.

Give yourself 7 days to test.

Cut out all simple carbs early on – will see biggest effect in 3-5 days.

Exhaust body of carbohydrate storage.

You might get headaches.

You may feel fatigue.

You may crave sugar.

You can test your ketone levels with pee sticks.

Breath will change to a fruity breath.

 

Connect with Amir:  Instagram

 

Have you tried the ketogenic diet?  How was it?  Comment below!

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