Dr. Ahmed Mostaque
Losing weight is not that tough. You just have to be determined and focus on your weight loss goals. There are a lot of ways you can lose weight. One of the most effective and common ways of losing weight is the Keto diet. People all over the internet are gushing over the amazing result of the keto diet. Keto diet plans are easy to follow and the results are much quicker than other diet plans. Having said that there are also some side effects of the keto diet that you should know about. If you are thinking of practicing keto diet for losing your body weight you should be aware of the effects of keto diet on your body and the health risk involved.
Are There Any Side Effects of Keto Diet?
Although keto diet is very good for your overall body health and losing your body weight, there are some side effects of keto diet. The ketogenic diet requires you to follow and maintain an extremely low-carb, high-fat diet in order to put your body into a metabolic state called ketosis. This metabolic state makes your body more efficient at burning fat.
Most health experts and dietitians prefer ketogenic diet over other diet forms that are not easy to follow. But recently some health experts are saying it can cause changes in libido.
While the libido warning got a lot of notoriety in the media, actual research confirming this side effect was hard to come by. To better understand the side effect of keto diet and is it safe for our body more research needs to be done.
The ketogenic diet was originally developed for a medical purpose to aid people with epilepsy.
Is Health Benefit of Keto Diet Greater than The Risk?
Yes, the health benefit is greater than the risk. This is the reason health experts support the keto diet. Furthermore, there has been very little research done about the health risk of keto diet. Keto diet has a lot of side effect but those effects of the keto diet are not very dangerous to our health. There is no concrete evidence that supports the health risk of the keto diet.
However, there are some common side effects of the keto diet that have very little implication on your overall health.
Common Side Effects of Keto Diet?
Keto Flu
Keto flu is the most common side effect of the ketogenic diet which happens when you start the diet. It happens when your body starts to adapt to the low-carb state. Lowering carb intake forces the body to burn ketones for energy instead of glucose. You might start to feel a bit dizzy and weak once your body is in ketosis. You will know the diet is working properly when you see these symptoms. There is nothing to worry about as your body is in the process of adapting.
You might also feel headache and irritability. Also, constipation, nausea, and vomiting are some common symptoms of keto flu.
Once your body goes through these undesirable effects you will start to see changes in your weight. The keto flu might last for 1-2 weeks at the beginning of your diet routine.
Heart Damage
Due to the loss of electrolytes such as sodium, magnesium, and potassium because of increased urination, your body can be low on electrolytes and fluids. Electrolytes are very important for keeping the beating of the heart normal. Loss of electrolytes can cause irregular heartbeat which can be dangerous for older people.
Kidney Damage
Low electrolytes can also have an effect on your kidney. Because of dehydration, you might feel lightheadedness. Also, it can cause kidney injury or kidney stones because of excess dehydration.
Irregular Dieting Pattern
It is not easy to follow this diet plan for the long term. Some people might find themselves on their usual diet and start eating unhealthy again. Switching between diet plans can have severe effect on your health and weight.
It is difficult to follow the ketogenic diet as there are many restrictions on your eating habits. It is not unusual if one day you decide to get up and want to eat something tasty. But it can have negative effects on the body. Stitching between diet plans can have impacts related to weight fluctuations and increased mortality risk. So before you start to take on the challenge make sure you can be determined and will follow the strict diet plans for a longer period of time.
Short Term Side Effects of Keto Diet
There are a lot of short term side effects of the keto diet. These symptoms are visible at the beginning of the dieting process and might last for a week or two.
Hypoglycemia is a common side effect in this instance, and noticeable signs may include:
- Excessive thirst
- Frequent urination
- Fatigue
- Hunger
- Confusion, anxiety and/or irritability
- Tachycardia
- Lightheadedness and shakiness
- Sweating and chills
Can Keto Diet Cause Constipation?
Yes, initially dieters can experience some constipation and low-grade acidosis. But over time once your body starts adopting you will see improvements as your body adjust the ways in which it sources energy.
Side Effects in Adults
For adults following the ketogenic diet, the most common complications include weight loss, constipation, and increased levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. Women may also experience amenorrhea or other disruptions to the menstrual cycle.
Can Keto Diet Lose Weight From Face?
Losing your overall body weight will automatically help you lose weight from your body. Although it is not easy to lose weight from a specific part of your body, there are ways you can do that. It is very challenging to lose face fat but can be done.
