Keto Means
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What are the side effects of the keto diet?

For adults following the ketogenic diet, the most common complications include weight loss, constipation and increased levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. Women may also experience amenorrhea or other disruptions to the menstrual cycle.

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Although the adverse effects related to the ketogenic diet are generally less serve than those of anticonvulsant medications used to treat epilepsy, individuals following the diet may experience a number of undesirable effects.

Short-Term Side Effects

There are several short-term side effects that are most evident at the beginning of therapy, particularly when patients commence the diet with an initial fast. Hypoglycemia is a common side effect in this instance, and noticeable signs may include:

Excessive thirst

Frequent urination

Fatigue

Hunger

Confusion, anxiety and/or irritability

Tachycardia

Lightheadedness and shakiness

Sweating and chills

Additionally, patients may also experience some constipation and low-grade acidosis. These effects tend to improve when the diet is continued, as the body adapts to the new diet and adjust the ways in which it sources energy.

Alteration in Blood Composition

As a result of the changes in dietary consumption and the body’s adaptive mechanisms to cope with the reduced carbohydrate intake, there are several changes in the blood composition of individuals following the ketogenic diet. In particular, the levels of lipids and cholesterol in the blood are commonly higher than what is considered to be normal. More than 60% of patients have raised lipid levels and more than 30% have high levels of cholesterol. If these changes are profound and there is some concern about the health of the child, slight changes to the diet can be made for the individual patient. For example, saturated fat sources can be substituted for polyunsaturated fats. In some cases, it may be necessary to lower the ketogenic ratio and reduce the proportion of fat to carbohydrate and protein in the diet.

Long-Term Effects

When the ketogenic diet is continued for extended periods of time, there are other adverse effects that become more evident and have a greater impact on individuals. Kidney stones, also known as nephrolithiasis, are a common complication for children following the diet, with approximately 5% of patients suffering from the condition. It is, however, treatable and the current recommendations suggest that the diet should be continued. The formation of kidney stones is believed to be linked to hypocitraturia and hypercalciuria, when acidosis causes the bone to demineralize. Additionally, low pH in the urine can encourage the formation of crystals and, eventually, kidney stones. There is some evidence that supplementation with potassium citrate reduces the incidence of kidney stones, as it binds to and reduces the level of calcium in the bloodstream. More research on this is required, however. Additionally, patients have an increased risk of bone fractures. This arises from the altered levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 and the effects of acidosis. Acidosis leads to the erosion of bone, weakening the bones and leaving them prone to fractures. In order to manage these side effects, supplementation of vitamins and minerals are routinely administered to patients following the ketogenic diet. This commonly comprises of a multivitamin, calcium and vitamin D supplements. For adults following the ketogenic diet, the most common complications include weight loss, constipation and increased levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. Women may also experience amenorrhea or other disruptions to the menstrual cycle.

References

Further Reading

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What foods can remove body odor?

Citrus fruits. Citrus fruits like lemons and oranges minimize the accumulation of toxins in the body thereby curbing the growth of odour-producing bacteria. ... Green tea. ... Leafy vegetables. ... Fenugreek. ... Cardamoms.

We’ve all had that one day of summer when we forgot to spray on some deodorant and felt embarrassed because of our own BO. Well, for many of us body odour is constant even after taking all measures of hygiene. Blame genetics all you want but your diet is equally responsible for making your odour smell the way it does. Onion, garlic and other foods from the allium family are responsible for causing body odour. However, there are also foods that curb BO, want to know what those are? Read on...

Citrus fruits

Citrus fruits like lemons and oranges minimize the accumulation of toxins in the body thereby curbing the growth of odour-producing bacteria. A glass of lukewarm lemon water or fresh orange juice can also be very refreshing for your system.

Green tea

Known for its antioxidant properties, regular consumption of green tea can help battle bad breath, body odour and stinky feet. Have two to three cups of green tea with honey every day and notice the difference.

Leafy vegetables

Eating plenty of green leafy veggies is beneficial in a number of ways. Kale, spinach and watercress contain high levels of chlorophyll that neutralize odour causing compounds. Switch to a green rich diet and experience the change yourself.

Fenugreek

The seeds and leaves of fenugreek have odour fighting abilities which it does by eliminating the toxins from your body. Have fenugreek soaked water or munch on a few seeds in the morning.

Cardamoms

These tiny seeds may have ruined your biryani a couple of times but they’re in your food for a reason. Adding a dash of cardamoms not only enhances the taste of the food but it also adds to the natural scent of your body.

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