Photo: Maria Orlova

How long does it take for ketosis to kick in?

For healthy people who don't have diabetes and aren't pregnant, ketosis usually kicks in after 3 or 4 days of eating fewer than 50 grams of carbohydrates per day. That's about three slices of bread, a cup of low-fat fruit yogurt, or two small bananas. You can start ketosis by fasting, too.

webmd.com - Ketosis: Definition, Keto Diet, Symptoms, and Side Effects - WebMD

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If you’re a new mom and don’t get enough calories or fluids, it could affect your breast milk supply. Doctors generally recommend that you wait until you’re done breastfeeding if you want to start the keto diet. About 1 in 20 children who have epilepsy and are on the keto diet get kidney stones . A supplement called potassium citrate can help prevent them. Talk to your doctor about the kidney stone risk if your child is on the keto diet.

Drinking plenty of water can ease or prevent some of these symptoms.

Some over-the-counter supplements claim to raise your ketone levels. They come as pills, powders, oils, and other forms. There isn’t much research on whether they work or if they’re safe. Talk to your doctor before you start taking any supplements.

Ketosis vs. Ketoacidosis

If you're healthy and eating a balanced diet, your body controls how much fat it burns so you don't usually make or use ketones. But when you cut way back on your calories or carbs, your body will switch to ketosis for energy. It can also happen after you exercise for a long time and during pregnancy. If you have diabetes that isn’t under control, ketosis can become dangerous when ketones build up. High levels lead to dehydration and change the chemical balance of your blood. It becomes acidic and can cause a coma or death. People who have diabetes can get ketoacidosis, or diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), when they don't take enough insulin. They can also get DKA when they're sick or injured or when they don't get enough fluids and become dehydrated. Some people who don’t have diabetes can get ketoacidosis, too. It's caused by alcoholism, starvation, or an overactive thyroid. A healthy low-carb diet shouldn't cause a problem.

If you have these symptoms, call your doctor:

Thirstiness or a dry mouth

Peeing a lot

Feeling tired

Dry or flushed skin

Upset stomach

Throwing up

Trouble breathing

Confusion

Fruity-smelling breath

Pain in your belly

When you have diabetes, throwing up can be especially dangerous. Although DKA usually starts off slowly, throwing up can speed up the process so that it happens in just a few hours. Call your doctor if you've been throwing up for 2 hours or more.

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