NEK, what is it? It is definitely not a diet! It is a medical therapy that has the purpose of reducing the fat mass in excess based on fasting with prolonged continuous administration through tube feeding of proteins containing the amino acids essential for the daily requirement, so as not to compel the body to draw from the lean body mass for its energy needs.

With enteral nutrition protein the body in the absence of primary energy intake as carbohydrates and fats is forced to activate a pathway reserve that causes the formation of substances called ketone bodies.

In the first phase of fasting, the body draws quickly to energy reserves contained in the form of muscle glycogen which is rapidly converted into glucose, but these reserves are very limited, only 1600 Kcal. At this point the body is forced to draw on a new pathway that exploits the conversion of protein into glucose, then just turns to fat burning. It is easier to transform the proteins that do not fats into glucose.

Lipolysis, and release of fats from fat cells resulting in the transformation of fat into glucose, is, in fact, a more complicated process at the end of which is the formation of so-called ketone bodies, which, as we shall see, have an important role during the fasting.

Lipolysis is activated when, in the absence of glucose, insulin, which normally stimulates the storage of fats in the cells of adipose tissue by bringing the sugar in the cell and transforming it into fat, is lowered (this mechanism of lowering of insulin is according to Professor. the winning Blackburn) and increases the level of GH and glucagon, growth hormone, which stimulates the release of fats instead.

Lipolysis, activated, culminating in the formation of ketone bodies, whose presence in the organism is the physiological consequence of their lack of glucose. In this situation, in fact, the fats are burned for energy, are burned incompletely.

The Acetyl-CoA, which is the final product of combustion activated with lipolysis, is not, in fact, sufficient oxaloacetate, product derived from glycolysis instead, to enter together in the Krebs cycle, the most efficient and comprehensive biochemical process by which the organism derives energy for its survival.

The molecules Acetyl-CoA which are formed in excess for the forced lipolysis and who can not enter the Krebs cycle for the absence of glucose, and then join together and form the ketone bodies.

From the subsequent condensation of two molecules of Aetil-CoA is formed acetoacetic acid. This is transformed, for the most part, in acetone, and beta-hydroxy-butyric acid. These three compounds are called: ketone bodies. Acetoacetic acid and beta-hydroxy-3-butyric acid are excreted in the urine which give it its characteristic odor and are responsible for the coloration of Ketur stick, as acetone but is eliminated through the lungs with the breath and sweat giving the typical odor.

Proper pancreatic function, characteristic of the diabetic patient is not, let the next conversion, in the presence of minute concentrations of insulin, ketone bodies in the Acetyl-CoA and its subsequent metabolism. Significantly is produced a quantity of ketone bodies of about 150 gr. a day, the same amount of glucose that serves the brain in normal conditions.

The formation of ketone bodies in fasting protein is of numerous advantages:

• Provide 25% of the energy that the body requires protein during fasting;


• Facilitate the use of free fatty acids by the brain that transforms its energy source using the 80% of the ketone body metabolism;


• Ketone bodies freely circulating in the organism by providing energy, it does not need carrier proteins and penetrate freely through cell membranes.

For the purpose of survival, therefore, the formation of ketone bodies assumes a very positive. Economic change is the only source of energy for the brain and allow it to function well even when glucose is no longer available, either for a long fast, is insufficient to introduce food as in the past during periods of famine.

In addition ketone bodies permit the body to better adapt to this new situation. They, in fact, have an anorectic effect and euphoric. This explains why in many cases no one who fasts are hungry and optimistic. So the complete absence of carbohydrates from the diet inevitably leads to the activation of the alternative pathway with the final outcome of the production of ketone bodies. Situation that occurs in children when they fast in response to a pathological state, or in adults under certain conditions.
From this we can conclude that fasting allows the protein to fully utilize the energy of the adipose tissue, reducing it without affecting lean body mass. Because the muscles are not affected in the NEK? If the body can more easily tap into the endogenous proteins rather than from the fat for energy, why not lean body mass is used for this purpose? The NEK continuous administration of protein in the form of absorbable amino acids induce the body to tap directly into the fat storage.

The protein substances, contained in liquid form inside a small bag, are introduced directly into the stomach of the patient through feeding tube transparent only 2 millimeters in diameter. The administration of the protein solution must be slow and continuous. In this provides a small computerized pump that pushes the proteins contained in the bag through the tube. In this way the patient is fed, keeps his energy, does not feel hunger and lose weight lose fat storage and preserving the effectiveness of the muscle. The NEK is a totally painless.

As noted by patients already treated, the discomfort caused by the tube is minimal and only initial. The pump and the bag are easily concealable and transportable in a bag or a backpack. The tube is transparent and inconspicuous, so during treatment the patient leads a normal life report. Working, studying, sleeping, showering, but absolutely not eat, but it can - and must - drink liquids sugar free.

During the first treatment period, which lasts 10 days, the patient loses up about 1% of body weight a day. Follows a short period of controlled diet, whose purpose is to maintain the results achieved (duration 7 days). In the second period the patient can resume treatment with the tube that allows to lose body fat mass equal to about 6 - 8% of body weight in 10 more days of treatment. At the end of the first month or so of treatment the patient may lose a total of 14 to 17 kg, only by eliminating body fat and maintaining a perfect shape. The scientific literature is unanimous in showing how, Enteral Nutrition Protein is the most invigorating and rapid weight loss therapy can be used by all those who from the very small excess of weight. He has no contraindications to the exclusion of subjects with renal impairment.