For weight loss, many people have decided to try the ketogenic diet. According to the latest research, limiting your carbohydrate consumption to a bare minimum will help you lose a few pounds, at least in the first few weeks or months. However, we don't know whether establishing and maintaining ketosis is better for weight loss in the long run than other diets. Almost any intervention, including the ketogenic diet, can have negative implications. The so-called "keto flu" is one of the most well-known ketosis side effects.
What are typical keto flu symptoms?
The keto flu is a set of symptoms that can emerge anywhere from two to seven days after beginning a ketogenic diet. Headache, foggy brain, exhaustion, irritability, nausea, difficulty sleeping, and constipation are just a few signs of this medically undiagnosed disorder. On PubMed, the repository of indexed medical research papers, a search for this phrase gives no results. An internet search, on the other hand, will turn up thousands of blogs and articles concerning the keto flu.
Because we are just left with our own observations and experiences, it is difficult to articulate exactly what happens following the diet change. These symptoms may not be exclusive to the ketogenic diet; some of my patients report experiencing similar symptoms after cutting back on processed foods or opting for an elimination or anti-inflammatory diet.
What causes keto flu?
We're not sure why some folks are feeling so awful after making this nutritional shift. Is there a link between it and a detox factor? Is it due to a carbohydrate deficiency? Is there any kind of immune response? Is it possible that this is due to a change in the gut microbiome? Whatever the case may be, it appears that the symptoms associated with the keto flu may occur in some people after "cleaning up" their diet.
Keto flu remedies
If you decide to adjust your diet for whatever reason and find yourself weary and a little off, don't get frustrated and give up. Here are some pointers:
- There's no need to go out and buy any pricey supplements over the internet. Many websites are attempting to generate large sums of money by offering goods that claim to make you feel better but have no facts to back up their claims.
- This isn't the flu, despite the name. You won't get a fever, and the symptoms are unlikely to render you unconscious. If you're feeling really bad, see your doctor because something else could be going on.
- Make sure you're getting enough water. Dehydration is a side effect of some diets.
- Eat more frequently and include a variety of colourful veggies in your diet. Switching from a typical American diet high in simple carbohydrates, trans fats, and saturated fat to a plant-based diet is a significant shift in how your cells use energy. Food is more than just calories and energy; it is also a form of communication between your cells.
- If you're dedicated to a plan, don't give up. You may feel weary for a few days, but your energy level will most likely return to normal by the end of the week, and you may even feel better.
- If all else fails, instead of going "cold turkey," consider easing into the new diet gradually.
In the days following a diet change, you may experience unpleasant sensations. However, this should not be the only consideration when picking what to eat.
