The ketogenic diet consists of a diet rich in fat, moderate in protein, and very low in carbs. Although the diet is generally considered safe, it has unfavorable side effects. The keto flu, or the carb flu, refers to the symptoms that occur while starting the diet. It is a set of symptoms that some people encounter when they first begin the keto diet.
Keto flu symptoms, which may resemble the flu, are triggered by the body’s adaptation to a low-carb diet. By consuming fewer carbohydrates, you make your body burn ketones rather than glucose for energy. In a ketogenic diet, ketones, which are the byproducts of fat breakdown, serve as the primary fuel source.
Fat is typically conserved as a backup fuel source when glucose is unavailable. Ketosis is the state in which the body starts using fat as fuel. It happens under particular conditions, such as fasting and starvation. In addition, ketosis can be achieved by following an extremely low-carb diet. The keto flu symptoms may appear during the first few days of reducing carbohydrates. The severity of a person’s symptoms might vary from minor to severe.
Below are the symptoms of keto flu.
Nausea
You may feel nauseous if you reduce your primary energy source and instead depend on fat for fuel. Your stomach also secretes hydrochloric acid to assist with food digestion. Thus, long periods of fasting can cause your stomach’s acid to accumulate, causing nausea and acid reflux. Consider eating more frequently if you get nauseous after long periods of not eating.
The difference between a diet consisting of three larger meals and six smaller meals per day has yet to be fully established. However, eating less frequently and with shorter intervals between meals may prevent nausea. Furthermore, as blood sugar levels return to normal, this problem usually disappears.
Talk to your healthcare practitioner about your symptoms if you have severe nausea when you are starving. It can signify that you should be examined for metabolic syndrome and associated symptoms, such as increased blood pressure or abnormal lipid levels.
