Switching to keto diet
may cause flu-like symptoms
United Press International,
by
Amy Norton
Original Article
Posted By: MissMolly,
3/15/2020 4:53:36 AM
If you are feeling the aches and pains of what you think is the flu, a trendy diet may be the culprit instead, a new study confirms.
Researchers took a dive into what's become known as "keto flu" -- the fatigue, headache, nausea and mental fog that some people develop soon after starting a ketogenic diet.
The keto diet, which is loaded with fat and skimpy on carbs, has become a popular way to lose weight. By depriving the body of carbs -- its main source of fuel -- the diet pushes it to burn fat instead.
Reply 1 - Posted by:
kreeger 3/15/2020 5:42:13 AM (No. 346737)
From the referenced article in the piece:
The high fat nature of the keto diet is very controversial. A considerable body of research has shown that diets high in saturated fat may increase the risk for heart disease and other chronic health problems. The risk that keto dieters might be taking with regards to their long-term cardiovascular health has not been fully studied.
3 people like this.
Reply 2 - Posted by:
LadyHen 3/15/2020 6:32:47 AM (No. 346748)
I've been cutting back on carbs considerably this last month, not to the extreme of keto though, just to see if I can and maybe lose a little winter weight. Keto recommends 30 grams of carbs a day or less. That is pretty tough. I keep my carbs under 100 grams a day. In turn I did need to increase protein and fat some and I just don't get hungry as easily. I have far less upset tummy issues and heartburn without the carbs. Go figure but not taking sugar in my coffee and not eating toast or a bagel st breakfast is better for me. It is a major adjustment for your body but I genuinely feel better without so many carbs in my diet. I think this more careful eating has produced the weight loss.
15 people like this.
Reply 3 - Posted by:
TruthFetish 3/15/2020 7:36:24 AM (No. 346774)
When I switched to the similar Atkins diet's rigor in 2005, I felt the same fatigue and mild spaciness. That tailed off after six days. But I was NEVER hungry! Losing a clothes size a week is also motivating. My 1977 varsity jacket fits.
14 people like this.
Reply 4 - Posted by:
udanja99 3/15/2020 8:16:24 AM (No. 346812)
I’ve done the Keto diet and yes, you do get flu like symptoms early on. The trick is to up the amounts of sodium, magnesium, potassium, etc to make up for what your body is flushing out. The diet does more than just make you lose weight - it enhances mental focus, gives you more energy and can improve things like arthritis. I had to quit because the high fat content was wreaking havoc with my acid reflux but I know several people who have had amazing health improvements from the diet. If you want to learn more about it, there’s a documentary called The Magic Pill. Do research before you start and you can avoid the Keto flu.
8 people like this.
Reply 5 - Posted by:
Safari Man 3/15/2020 8:40:16 AM (No. 346834)
I’m on the Beto diet... you jump up and down on tables and make high-energy flailing gestures. I don’t feel the flu, but boy do I feel stupid.
18 people like this.
Reply 6 - Posted by:
Venturer 3/15/2020 9:17:39 AM (No. 346887)
I have lost 40 lbs. this winter.
I don't use any specific diet I stopped eating dessert, drinking soda's and I eat less.
I eat the same things I always ate, I only cut down the portions.
10 people like this.
Reply 7 - Posted by:
philsner 3/15/2020 9:24:52 AM (No. 346895)
Yes, another - don't do this - follow conventional wisdom missive.
Coffee is bad for you -coffee is good for you.
Wine is bad for you - wine is good for you. Etcetera
9 people like this.
Reply 8 - Posted by:
Kate318 3/15/2020 10:11:27 AM (No. 346954)
I’ve been doing the same thing as you, #2, with the same results. I just feel better. As far as a high-fat diet contributing to heart disease, all research and findings are co-relative, not causal. There is also a growing body of evidence that healthy fats are essential for health and wellness, and that includes red meat. And finally, #6, you must be a guy. ; )
9 people like this.
Reply 9 - Posted by:
Sunhan65 3/15/2020 11:27:36 AM (No. 347026)
Let's start at the top: The "research" cited in this article came from a bunch of "researchers" looking at online discussion groups, and it cites registered dietitians as expert sources. Becoming a "registered dietitian" requires only a bachelor's degree. Note that it does NOT require a BSc. So you don't have to be a scientist to be a dietitian. All you need are opinions.
"Dietitions" have a lot of opinions. In fact, they don't agree on anything, including how to spell the name of their own profession. I have been a Type 1 Diabetic for 37 years, and all I have my own experience, which I will share for what it's worth.
1. I went on the so-called "keto diet" 3 years ago to lose weight. I lost 68.6 lbs in one year and have kept most if it off. I am never hungry and don't have the cravings that used to drive my eating habits. I like everything I eat and don't miss most of carbs I no longer eat. (I do miss popcorn and eat it when I go to movies. It messes me up for a day or so, but that's life.)
2. I did not experience the "keto flu" effects described in the article. I did experience an extraordinary reduction in the amount of insulin I needed to inject. Prior to the diet, I was injecting 26 units of rapid-acting insulin with each meal. Now I take 5 units with each meal instead. In other words, I need one-fifth the amount of insulin I used to. As a direct result, my low blood sugars are far less frequent and dramatically less severe. I had two in the last 3 months.
I also take 15 units of Levemir long-acting in the morning and evening to cover me when I'm not eating. So, as an added bonus, I no longer need to eat on a schedule driven by insulin. I eat when I'm hungry.
3. My high blood sugars are also less frequent and severe. My last average blood sugar from 475 tests over 3 months was 132 mg/dl. My Hemoglobin A1c 6.2. My cholesterol ratio was good at 2.9, but I do take a Statin as a pre-caution.
4. My doctor, who is a board-certified endocrinologist, told me that diabetics who are not already on the keto diet should look into it. However, if you are a diabetic and considering the keto diet, please connect with a real doctor to help. The hardest part for me was realizing how much I had to lower my insulin doses to offset the reduction in carbs, so I had too many low blood sugars when I started out on this path.
5 people like this.
Reply 10 - Posted by:
SavageRider 3/15/2020 11:30:02 AM (No. 347028)
I am not going to follow any way of eating that causes me to feel miserable for more than a day. I listen to my body. Keto doesn't work for everyone. The body gets more than energy from fruits and vegetables; that's where our vitamins, minerals and micronutrients come from.
3 people like this.
Reply 11 - Posted by:
Smart11344 3/15/2020 7:54:08 PM (No. 347485)
A few years ago I had to ask what does BOGO mean. Ditto for KETO diet.
0 people like this.
Many years ago, while dieting, I developed ketosis and had to out off surgery,
0 people like this.
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