Dear redditors
My question regards the Keto-Diet: To my understanding (and I am a medstudent and im currently studying metabolism of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, etc.) we dont NEED to eat fats if we want to go on a keto-diet because acetyl-coA (which we need to produce the ketone bodies) is also produced by the catabolism of proteins.
Now I have read on numerous sites, that we need atleast 60% fats in the nutrition plan. But why?
I am aware that of course the amount of protein that has to be eaten rises by reducing the amount of fats, this is just a question as to why it is **necessary/essential** to eat fats.
Thank you for your answers and have a nice day.
Answer
Acetyl-CoA can be produced by the catabolism of proteins but that doesn’t mean that you can just go 100% protein because *maybe* your metabolism can’t provide energy fast enough to live a healthy life. I’m just tossing ideas here, but maybe the 60% fats is because B-oxidation is way faster (it is) than forcing your body to mainly break down proteins, a metabolic pathway that is just 10-15% of your total energy intake.
Source: Metabolic exam yesterday