Mike and Ely
Thank you for the input. I saw that paper and I must say that I was not overly impressed by it. I would be interested to know who designed it as it does not look much better than the majority of previous nutrition research. I certainly do not think that would be passed by any of the funding streams I apply to!!
However it does seem to suggest that, as one would expect, the situation is more complex than we simplistically think. hopefully at some point we will have get a synthesis of the various views and can move away from the bullying rhetoric of the last 50 years.
I think I will try to measure my ketones on a more regular basis and up my post exercise session carbs and see what happens.
Hi Chris
The second study hasn't been published yet, but the protocol was 2 months in a metabolic ward with 1 month on a Base diet then a switch to ketogenic, replacing carb with fat and maintaining caloric equivalence, plus controlled exercise too. The diet was well controlled and the design agreed/supported by Taubes and Attia. Hall has discussed the results meanwhile and that was what I referred to above. Nusi funded the study.
Another outcome was that there was an initial loss of protein on the keto diet, although I think that stabilised fairly quickly.
The situation is clearly complex, but there are some simple takeaways - certainly for individuals with fully functional endocrine systems (apparently almost no elite athletes!) around energy in and out balance. Other issues are harder to get clarity on still, and there may well be some advantage to be gained in endurance performance by using a keto regime to support an increase in the amount of fat burned at higher exercise rates - provided of course the overall rate achievable doesn't fall.
I agree some well supported consensus and less name calling would be good. These aren't beliefs to be held on to, just the mechanics of how our, variable, bodies work.
Mike