The Keto Whoosh

The Keto Whoosh... is it a real phenomenon?  Let's find out...   The theory goes that as the triglycerides in your fat cells are broken down into component fatty acids and glycerol, these components move out of the fat cell to fuel you body.  That part is straight forward enough.  This is where the science gets a bit grey... supposedly those now empty fat cells are then filled with water.  The reason is the body is trying to reach a point of homeostasis and keep your fat cells viable so that when, and if, they need to be filled up with triglycerides again, they will be available.  Then, if you stay in ketosis, the body will at some point stop this process and the water in the fat cells is removed, released en masse.   A dramatic weight loss ensues. around three to five pounds, even more.  The Keto folk have named this phenomenon the Keto Whoosh.  

graphic of the Whoosh

I have tried to fact check this theory, but with no success.  I have located dozens of laymen reports upon this Whoosh effect, but I have yet to see the science of it.  So, I am inclined to be skeptical, until I do see the science of it. 

I have experienced days where I dropped five pounds over night.  Right now I have been in Keto for eight weeks and had one overnight five pound weight loss.  I do not know if this five pound weight loss has anything to do with the Keto Whoosh phenomenon.  

So, that is my take upon the topic.  The weight loss pattern in Keto is normally in stages, i.e. one's weight will hold steady in Keto, then one will have a sudden drop, then hold at this new lower weight until the next drop happens.   That is the normal pattern.  This is why one should never fret about stalling out, or having a plateau, while in Keto.  

With Keto, it is the steady pace that achieves the goal.  Monitor your Ketones from time to time, be brutally honest with your carb count.  This is of course different depending on the person, for me, I know I must stay at 20 carb grams or under to stay at the level of Ketosis I know I need (which is circa 1.5 to 6 mmol/Ls for a evening reading).  

If anyone has knowledge of a clinical study that proves the Keto Whoosh phenomenon, please send me a link.  

© Barry R McCain 2018