The Keto Flu

The Keto FLU.

Keto Flu… broken down for all… Cold Hard Keto style!! (This is all based on my own experiences and research, backed by articles, websites, doctors, and more that I have found- source links included)

First off, welcome to your Keto journey and hang in there, it’s gonna be a rewarding, yet bumpy ride!!

The Ketogenic diet isn’t as much a diet, as it becomes a way of life (WOL) or way of eating (WOE) as it is sometimes known. I personally prefer WOE because in the beginning it actually caused me great woe (def: great sorrow or distress) 🙂 .

Usually within the first 2 days of this diet change, people enter what is called the KETO FLU. Your body is entering ketosis and switching from a state of glucose-burning to fat-burning. These symptoms are usually gone by the end of week 2, once your body is adapted to fat burning for fuel (mine was 1 week of horrible flu and my hubby was 2 weeks).

Some Commonly reported Symptoms of the KETO FLU are:

Stomach aches or pains

Brain fog

Dizziness or confusion

Nausea

Irritability

Diarrhea or constipation

Muscle cramping or soreness

Lack of concentration or focus

Trouble falling or staying asleep

Sugar cravings

Heart palpitations

 

Don’t let this freak you out! Some people don’t have any symptoms at all (like my son). If you do go through this “flu” however, just remember….. It IS temporary, and it WILL go away! Electrolytes and hydration will greatly help with your symptoms. And the end result is so very worth the temporary hurdle we need to cross!

Successfully getting through the Keto Flu is your first leap toward success, and you should use it to give you hope to KETO ON!!! At the point you get through your “flu”, the body is working more efficiently. It is now eating the fat reserves in your body and every day is trying to use the nutrients you feed it to heal your body in ways you may not even realize yet.

On the Keto diet, your blood pressure goes down, insulin goes down, bad cholesterol goes down, and this way of eating can half or even cure childhood epilepsy. (source: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-benefits-of-low-carb-ketogenic-diets#section10).

According to an article written by Dr Gabriela Segura, Consultant Cardiologist (source: http://www.drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/Ketogenic_diet_-_a_connection_between_mitochondria_and_diet)

The Ketogenic diet “is not only used as a healthy lifestyle, it is also used for conditions such as infantile spasms, epilepsy, autism, brain tumors, Alzheimer’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease, depression, stroke, head trauma, Parkinson’s disease, migraine, sleep disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety, ADHD, irritability, polycystic ovarian disease, irritable bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux, obesity, cardiovascular disease, acne, type 2 diabetes, tremors, respiratory failure and virtually every neurological problem but also cancer, and conditions where tissues need to recover after a loss of oxygen.[4]

Our body organs and tissues work much better when they use ketones as a source of fuel, including the brain, heart and the core of our kidneys. If you ever had a chance to see a heart working in real time, you might have noticed the thick fatty tissue that surrounds it. In fact, heart surgeons get to see this every day. A happy beating heart is one that is surrounded by layers of healthy fat. Both the heart and the brain run at least 25% more efficiently on ketones than on blood sugar.

Ketones are the ideal fuel for our bodies unlike glucose – which is damaging, less stable, more excitatory and in fact shortens your life span.” 

The Ketogenic diet also helps reverse fatty liver.

  The treatment for a fatty liver includes avoiding the factors which contribute to it. Following a ketogenic diet makes it very easy to avoid problem foods, and steers you toward the foods which help your liver recover and thrive. (source: https://www.ketogenic-diet-resource.com/fatty-liver-disease.html)

As well as Diabetic nephropathy.

 “Diabetic nephropathy is a serious kidney-related complication of type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. It is also called diabetic kidney disease. Up to 40 percent of people with diabetes eventually develop kidney disease.” (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetic-nephropathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20354556)

All of these reasons, in addition to the weight loss, energy increase, mental focus and better body functions, are reasons to start this “diet” and continue this as a way of life. These are benefits you are ALREADY beginning to reap after you push through that flu!!!!

I sincerely hope this information helps you through your flu, potential “cheat moments” (more on this later), rough patches, and weight stalls. You may not always visually see a difference (either on your body OR a scale), but internally your body is working for the benefit of YOU, your health, and your future!

 

Hope and best wishes,

S.

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