Ketogenic Diet Side Effects – What Are They?
Today let’s take a close look at the top 5 ketogenic diet side effects. If you already follow this diet and have eased past the possible initial symptoms that lots people experience then this may not be for you. You may continue to read the article as a refresher or read one of the other articles such as these important keto diet supplements.
However, if you’re wanting to start the keto diet, I think you’ll do yourself a good service by knowing the possible side effects of the keto diet. Keto diet side effects such as the smell, keto flu and others will be discussed in this article.
Having questions about any weight loss diet or program is the right thing to do, especially when getting started. Regardless of the generation or age group you belong to, questions such as the following always come up:
What diet is best for my situation? What diet makes you lose weight the fastest? What diets are healthy and can be sustained in the long term? What diets have side effects that are detrimental to health? Plus lots more questions.
The Ketogenic diet is one possibly the most popular diet right now and people have questions that are begging for answers. some of the most famous people have made the keto diet even more popular. It’s a simple diet to follow actually.
All you need to know is that just any low carbohydrate diet, you’re cutting down on… carbs, whilst eating healthy fats and proteins. Eating 20 to 50 grams of carbs on your daily nutritional intake will force your body into a state of ‘ketosis’ where you body uses fat as it’s source of metabolic fuel.
Whilst the keto diet helps you lose weight as well as other health benefits, there are questions too. Most common of these is what are the long term side effects of the ketogenic diet?
Keto Diet Side Effects
Nutritional Deficiencies
On the keto diet, you definitely want to go low on carbs intake. But be careful not to cut too much of the good carbs such as such fruits and vegetables. Cutting down on the bad carbs is definitely good. The good carbs contains micro nutrients your body needs for proper functioning. These include phytochemicals and important minerals. As you reduce carbs intake make sure you supplement your micronutrients. Please refer to our article on the best supplements for keto dieters for a more complete review. You can pick up our recommended keto pills to help you with ensuring you have adequate micros cover. Follow the link here for more information: Enhanced keto recommendation.
Keto Flu
You have probably known or have at least heard of the ‘feared’ keto flu. It’s not the type you get a shot for in your local pharma shop although the symptoms are similar. What are the symptoms of the keto flu? Expect the following if you’re a keto beginner:
- Some episodes of vomiting and nausea
- Feeling a little weak and irritable
- Frequent bladder activity
- Soreness of muscle, dizziness and fatigue
Why do they happen?
Your body is now adapting to the new process of burning fat instead of carbs (sugar) as its source of metabolic fuel for energy. The weakness comes from your mind and body trying to make the important transition. The frequent relieving of your bladder is the result of your body trying to get rid of the waste product of ketones produced as your body burns fat. It’s recommended you keep your fluid intake especially water, on the up during this phase of keto.
Changes (Loss) in Libido
Oh no! I hear you say. One of the ketogenic diet side effects I definitely did not like was the loss of interest in sex. I know it was the keto diet that was responsible for this. Hitherto just like everybody else you would experience dips in sexual urge. But getting on keto prolonged this than I expected. So it may not happen to you but it did to me. You will lose weight surely but you may also lose your libido, as your hormones change. But there’s good news. You will get your sexy urge back, and more, once your body has adjusted to your new lifestyle.
How long does it take to get your libido back on the keto diet? My research points to varying answers as there are so many factors that come into play when it comes to sex drive. I will do a more in-depth, proper research into this at a later date and let readers know.
However, do not allow the prospect losing your libido put you off trying the keto diet. Like I said you would get a huge surge in sex drive once your body has regulated itself into ketosis and everybody is happy.
Kidney Damage
Frequent urination is another of the ketogenic diet side effects. Along with this comes the risk of kidney damage. It’s not because you’re peeing too much but loss of important electrolytes such as potassium, sodium and magnesium. These micronutrients are crucial to the functioning of the kidney. That’s why it’s so important to monitor your micronutrients intake.
If in doubt, check our recommendation here: Enhanced Keto. This one of the reasons people give why keto is bad.
With the increased consumption of meat, especially the processed, your body becomes less alkaline and more acidic. You get high levels of a substance called uric acid. Uric acid increases your chances of developing kidney stones or gout. If in doubt about keto, please speak to your doctor.
Please ensure to drink as much water as possible. Try and make it a habit.
Diarrhea and Constipation
There is this article here that addresses the issue of lack of fiber in the keto diet. Please read that for more information. However, these two ketogenic diet side effects are not very serious on the surface but should not be ignored nonetheless. Constipation can affect your bowel health and can make super uncomfortable. Plus a super embarrassing gas passages, you know. So ensure you include lots of vegetables full of fiber.
Ketogenic Diet Side Effects – Conclusion
So again there you have it. These are the top 5 side effects of the ketogenic diet. It’s a great diet to help you lose and keep it off as the diet is very sustainable for the long term. However, these ketogenic diet side effects have health practitioners warn followers and would-be keto dieters about the dangers this diet may have.
One thing you need to remember though is that your body works well when treated right. Feed it with balanced diet full of all the necessary nutrients it needs in the right amounts. Not only on the keto diet but you must watch what you’re eating whether you keto or not.
Do you have any questions or experiences you would want to share with our readers on the side effects of the keto diet? Do you prefer a diet that is low on carbohydrate intake with high healthy fat and protein? Or no diet at all? Considering that the standard American diet consists of fast foods, processed meat and grains and most of the time have no nutritional value at all, I like the keto diet better. I’m in healthier me, lost the weight I dreaded and it’s been very pleasant change. Let us know what you think.
