Ketosis with low BF%

Here you will find my comment regarding a post at Jimmy Moore’s about body fat

SeriousTyro said:

Excerpt from Lyle McDonald’s “The Ultimate Diet 2.0”:
One problem may be that lean individuals can’t make enough ketones to exert a protein sparing effect; this is a consequence of the difficulties in mobilizing fatty acids in the first place. Even during total starvation, when you’d expect ketosis to have the greatest impact, ketones aren’t protein sparing in lean individuals (<15% bodyfat or so). Perhaps this is the shining moment for MCTs (Medium-Chain Triglycerides), by producing ketones in larger amounts, we can exert a protein sparing effect beyond simply providing quick fat energy. Assuming protein intake is sufficient in the first place, I still tend to doubt ketosis has any huge advantages in this regards. If it does, it simply hasn’t shown up in real world experience.

When you have less fat to begin with, it becomes more difficult to mobilize the body fat because the body needs it as a survival mechanism. In turn, the body resorts to using protein in order to produce the glucose needed. Ketosis is more of a “side-effect” of fat loss for lean individuals due to the high rate of glycosis due to low insulin levels on a low-carb diet.

Quote from Arti
Quote:MCTs are mentioned because they break down faster than Long-Chain Triglycerides (commonly found in meat), and can be mobilized into energy much faster. The former can be found commonly as Coconut/Palm Kernel oil, and butter has a small amount of it as well.

A small amount of glucose provides a small sparring effect (as well as limiting ketosis), as well as increasing protein intake. The former is more efficient. That’s why “no carb” is relatively worse than “low carb”.

My take from this is:
So less body fat -> less oxidation of fat -> less ketones -> less fuel for body -> body gets fuel from protein -> if not enough protein then get from muscles?

To counteract this, consume fast burning fats, i.e, MCTs such as Coconut Oil?

What are your thoughts on this?

My response:

What are my thoughts on this? Well, I’m tempted to say, eat more cheese. I’m now running around with a 32-inch waist. A 50-inch waist wouldn’t let me do that. I much prefer to keep the 32-inch waist so I guess in many ways, I’m like nzmegs other half. Although I have to be honest, I haven’t got a clue what my body fat is. All I know is, it looks okay in the mirror. 

And nzmegs , you are exactly right! Your other half’s body will encourage him to eat more fat and protein. That’s exactly what mine does. If I’m working out in the yard, then I’m more likely to have a chunk of cheese with my cup of tea. Yes, they do go together, actually. Compared to when I’m sat in front of the computer, where a break might be accompanied with a slice of meat or two. And don’t forget, the body is clever and as a general rule, it won’t start breaking down muscles that are used on a regular basis, which leads me to the conclusion that we all know. A low carb diet is the only diet that works with the body and when we listen, our bodies will provide exactly what the body needs at exactly the right time.

Hope that helps,

Mark