Keto Means
Keto Means
Photo: Josh Hild
Ketosis is healthy and safe, but is not suitable for everyone. A ketogenic diet may benefit some people, such as those with obesity or type 2 diabetes and children with epilepsy.
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Hot and sour soup or egg drop soup Both soups are low in calories — containing only 65–90 calories per 1-cup (240 mL) serving — and you can make...
Read More »A ketogenic diet induces a state called ketosis. This is different from ketoacidosis, a serious condition that can happen when a person is unable to manage diabetes. Ketosis is a natural metabolic state that may have benefits for weight loss ( 1 , 2 ). It may also have therapeutic effects for people with epilepsy, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic conditions ( 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ). Ketosis is likely safe for most people, especially if they follow it with a doctor’s supervision. However, it can have some negative effects, especially at the start. It’s also unclear how a ketogenic diet may affect the body long term ( 7 ). An overview of ketosis First, it’s necessary to understand what ketosis is. Ketosis is a natural part of metabolism. It happens either when carbohydrate intake is very low (such as on a ketogenic diet) or when you haven’t eaten for a long time. When this happens, insulin levels fall and the body releases fat to provide energy. This fat then enters the liver, which turns some of it into ketones. During ketosis, many parts of your body are burning ketones for energy instead of just carbs. This includes your brain and muscles. However, it takes your body and brain some time to “adapt” to burning fat and ketones instead of carbs. During this adaptation phase, you may experience some temporary side effects. Summary: In ketosis, parts of the body and brain use ketones for fuel instead of carbs. It can take some time for your body to adapt to this. The low carb/keto flu In the beginning of ketosis, you may experience a range of negative symptoms. People often call these the “low carb flu” or “keto flu” because they resemble symptoms of the flu. These may include: headache
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While it may be tempting to aim for lofty weight loss goals, most experts recommend that losing 1–3 pounds or about 0.5–1 kg per week (depending on...
Read More »Leg muscles may cramp In ketosis, some people may experience leg cramps. These can be painful, and they can be a sign that you need to drink more water. Leg cramps in ketosis usually stem from dehydration and loss of minerals. This is because ketosis causes a reduction in water weight. Glycogen, the storage form of glucose in muscles and liver, binds water. This gets flushed out when you reduce carb intake. It’s one of the main reasons why people lose weight rapidly in the first week of a very low carb diet. It’s important to continue to drink plenty of water to reduce the risk of dehydration, changes in electrolyte balance, and kidney problems ( 7 ). Summary: Some people may experience muscle cramps in ketosis. Loss of water and minerals increases your risk of leg cramps. Ketosis may cause digestive problems Dietary changes can sometimes lead to digestive issues. This is also true for ketogenic diets, and constipation is a common side effect in the beginning ( 10 ). This is most commonly due to not eating enough fiber and not drinking enough fluids. Some people may also get diarrhea, but it’s less common. If the switch to a keto diet dramatically changes the way you eat, you’re more likely to have digestive symptoms. Nevertheless, digestive issues are usually over within a few weeks. Summary: Constipation is a very common side effect of ketosis. Diarrhea may also occur in some people. Elevated heart rate Some people also experience increased heart rate as a side effect of ketosis. This is also called heart palpitations or a racing heart. It can happen during the first few weeks of a ketogenic diet. Being dehydrated is a common cause, as well as low salt intake. Drinking a lot of coffee might also contribute to this. If the problem doesn’t stop, you might need to increase your carb intake. Summary: A ketogenic diet can increase heart rate in some people, but staying hydrated and increasing your salt intake may help. Other side effects of ketosis Other, less common side effects may include: Ketoacidosis. A few cases of ketoacidosis (a serious condition that occurs in diabetes when it’s not properly managed) have been reported in breastfeeding women, likely triggered by a very low carb diet. However, this is rare ( 11 , 12 , 13 ).
As eggs are a keto-friendly food, you can include 3 to 6 eggs in your daily diet instead of eating eggs the entire day. People with congenital or...
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Grape tomatoes contain three grams of carbs per half cup serving, while cherry tomatoes have six grams of carbs and four grams of sugar. Dec 8, 2020
Read More »A few cases of ketoacidosis (a serious condition that occurs in diabetes when it’s not properly managed) have been reported in breastfeeding women, likely triggered by a very low carb diet. However, this is rare ( , , ). Kidney stones. Although uncommon, some children with epilepsy have developed kidney stones on a ketogenic diet. Experts recommend regular kidney function monitoring while following the diet. ( 10 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 7 ). Although uncommon, some children with epilepsy have developed kidney stones on a ketogenic diet. Experts recommend regular kidney function monitoring while following the diet. ( , , , , ). Raised cholesterol levels. Some people get increased total and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels ( 17 , 18 , 19 ). Some people get increased total and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels ( , , ). Fatty liver. This can develop if you follow the diet for a long time. This can develop if you follow the diet for a long time. Hypoglycemia. If you use medications to manage your blood sugar levels, speak to a doctor before starting the diet, as they may need to adjust the dose. Some of the negative effects, such as dehydration and low blood sugar can lead to emergency room visits ( 7 ). The keto diet is not suitable for people with a number of conditions, including: pancreatitis
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