What is the Keto Flu?
The “keto flu,” also referred to as the “carb flu,” is the body’s natural reaction when you shift from burning glucose as energy to burning fat as energy. Some even say that the keto flu is a form of withdrawal from carbohydrates and sugars. Sugar is known to affect the brain like addictive drugs, resulting in addiction.
Causes of the Keto Flu
Your body is so use to using carbs and sugars that switching to a ketogenic diet can cause a natural reaction resulting in symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, and body aches. This is due to a loss of electrolytes and dehydration, withdrawal as mentioned above and becoming “keto-adapted.” Keto-adaption is much easier for some than others, based on the body’s metabolic flexibility. This is how well the body can adapt to using different fuel sources like sugars and fats. If your body is not metabolically flexible, you are more susceptible to the keto flu as your body adapts to this new fuel source.
Symptoms of the Keto Flu
Symptoms start showing within the first couple of days of starting the ketogenic diet. Most experience these symptoms for about a week, but it is possible for the keto flu to last up to a month, depending on your body. Some common symptoms include:
– Trouble sleeping, insomnia.
-Muscle aches and cramps.
-Confusion and brain fog.
-Nausea.
-Stomach pains; usually followed by diarrhea or constipation.
-Irritability and mood swings.
-Dizziness.
-Sugar cravings.
How Do You Treat the Keto Flu?
The most important thing to remember is to drink PLENTY of water. Hydration is key to maintaining a healthy keto lifestyle. This will also help to reduce symptoms of the flu. Low carb diets tend to lead to more water loss, resulting in dehydration. Remember to drink your eight glasses a day!
Be sure to consume enough electrolytes. Not consuming enough electrolytes can worsen the keto flu symptoms. A great source of electrolytes (and water) is bone broth. Bone broth tends to be rich in collagen, protein, vitamins and minerals. If you don’t want to drink bone broth, consume foods that are great sources of magnesium, potassium and sodium.
Exercise daily depending on the severity of your symptoms. If you’re able, even a light jog or a yoga class can dramatically improve your symptoms. This will also help in boosting your metabolism and burning more fats.
Feed on more fats. Consuming more fats can speed up the keto transition process. Some great sources of fat are MCT oil, which has several different uses, grass-fed ghee butter, avocados and eggs.
Get great sleep. Sleep should be your #1 priority. This will help lower cortisol levels. Increased cortisol levels can result in a far more difficult keto adaption while worsening symptoms.
Take exogenous ketones, such as Keto OS Max. This will provide your body with additional ketones and speed up the process of ketosis. This supplement is known to reduce brain fog, provide sustained energy, and boost your metabolism, among several other benefits.
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