A popular diet for weight loss, the keto diet is favored by well-known figures such as Halle Berry, Kourtney Kardashian, and Jenna Jameson.
The diet entails drastically reducing the intake of carbohydrates to less than or equal to 50 grams daily in order to induce ketosis, a state where the body must burn fat, not sugar, as fuel.
Medical professionals state that a keto diet can be advantageous in addressing epilepsy; the exact reason is not definitely known, but a ketogenic condition appears to decrease the occurrence of convulsions.
A study published in Frontiers in Nutrition in July 2021 verified the advantages of ketogenic diets in decreasing seizure episodes in people suffering from drug-resistant epilepsy, in addition to lowering weight.
Despite the possible advantages, the analysis highlights that there is not enough information about the long-term safety of this diet, suggesting that the dangers of it might be greater than the benefits.
As a general weight-loss plan, keto is controversial. Health professionals are cautioning against this diet due to the potential for adverse reactions, the potential for health hazards, and the fact that this diet is not sustainable. Keto diet followers recognize that if the diet is not followed correctly, it can be detrimental to one’s health.
Before attempting the ketogenic diet as an avenue for weight loss, it is important to be aware of the following: Beware that you may lose weight, however there could be some accompanying negative effects or issues.
1. The “Keto Flu”
Kristen Kizer, a dietician at SportsTec Clinic in Kingston, Australia, mentioned that some individuals have stated that they feel unwell when they start a ketogenic diet.
Sometimes people experience vomiting, stomach discomfort, exhaustion, and sluggishness when starting a ketogenic diet. Kizer mentioned that these symptoms, known as keto flu, typically go away after a few days.
Dr. Josh Axe, a specialist in alternative medicine and dietary counseling, approximates that 25% of those who begin a keto diet will experience certain symptoms, with exhaustion being the most common.
“That happens because your body runs out of sugar to burn for energy, and it has to start using fat,” said Axe. “That transition alone is enough to make your body feel tired for a few days.”
It is possible to reduce the severity of keto flu symptoms by making sure you are well hydrated and getting the right amount of rest.
Axe, a retailer of keto-related supplements, suggests utilizing natural energy sources to fight exhaustion, such as matcha green tea, organic coffee, or adaptogenic herbs (herbs which may help your body manage stress and exhaustion).
2. Diarrhea
If you have been experiencing the need to use the restroom more frequently while following a ketogenic diet, a quick search online will reveal that you are not the only one.
This may be because the gallbladder—the organ that releases bile to help break down fat in the diet—is feeling “over-worked,” according to Axe, which could explain why people are tweeting about keto diarrhea.
Kizer noted that diarrhea may result from a deficiency of fiber in a ketogenic diet, occurring when a person reduces their carb intake (like whole-grain bread and pasta) and does not add more fiber-rich foods, such as vegetables.
It is possible that an individual may experience these symptoms due to an inability to digest dairy products or artificial sweeteners, which they may have increased consumption of while following a high-fat, low-carb diet.
3. Reduced Athletic Performance
Some athletes strongly believe that the ketogenic diet is beneficial for not only weight loss, but also for enhanced athletic performance. Dr. Edward Weiss, an associate professor of nutrition and dietetics from Saint Louis University, does not accept this idea.
Weiss stated that when he hears cyclists claiming that they are performing better after starting a keto diet, his first response is asking how much weight they have lost.
A 2018 study published in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, conducted by Weiss and his colleagues, concluded that individuals who were on a ketogenic diet for four days performed less optimally during high-intensity cycling and running tasks compared to those who had been on a high-carb diet for the same amount of time.
Weiss claims that the body is in an acidic state when it is in ketosis, which may prevent it from functioning optimally.
“Just losing a few pounds is enough to give you a huge advantage on the bike, but I’m very concerned that people are attributing the benefits of weight loss to something specific in the ketogenic diet,” continued Weiss. “In reality, the benefits of weight loss could be at least partially canceled out by reductions in performance.”
4. Ketoacidosis
Kizer warned that those with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes should not attempt to do the keto diet without their doctor’s approval and close guidance.
Kizer stated that ketosis can be beneficial for people with high blood sugar levels, but monitoring glucose levels on a regular basis is very important.
It is because those with diabetes may experience a hazardous situation known as ketoacidosis when in ketosis.
This happens when the body accumulates an excessive amount of ketones, which are acids formed as a result of burning fat, causing the blood to become overly acidic. This can have a detrimental impact on the liver, kidneys, and brain. Left untreated, it can be fatal.
Ketoacidosis, a rare complication, was noted in a 2015 case report from the Journal of Medical Case Reports about a woman who was nursing and not diabetic but was on a low-carb, high-fat diet.
Signs of ketoacidosis may include a dry mouth, frequent urination, queasiness, foul breath, and trouble breathing. If any of these symptoms appear while on the keto diet, it is important to consult a medical professional immediately.
5. Weight Regain
Health professionals assert that the keto diet, due to its limited nature, should not be a diet that is continued in the long run.
According to Even Axe, the ideal length of time to adhere to a low-carb diet is 30 to 90 days, but then transitioning to a more sustainable diet afterwards. Kizer noted that the issue with this is that most people will gain back the weight they lost when they start eating carbs again.
“It’s an issue with any fad diet, but it seems to be extra common with ketosis,” said Kizer. “When people tell me they want to try it because their friends lost weight, I always tell them, ‘Just watch, I almost guarantee that they’ll gain it all back.'”
Kizer observed that changes in weight like these can lead to eating disorders, or could make a current unhealthy relationship with food worse.
“I think the keto diet appeals to people who have issues with portion control and with binge eating,” said Kizer. “And in many cases, what they really need is a lifestyle coach or a professional counselor to help them get to the bottom of those issues.”
