10 Dangerous Side Effects Of Ketosis

10 Dangerous Side Effects Of Ketosis

People on weight loss regime often resort to eating a diet low in carbohydrates. The Institute of Medicine says that around 45 to 65% of a person’s daily calories come from carbs. A low-carb diet is designed in a way that it creates a deficiency of carbs in the body in order to encourage it to switch to a different fuel source. This eventually leads to significant weight loss and also stabilises blood sugar. Side effects of reducing carb intake can be experienced during the initial phase of low-carb diet.
On eating a low-carb diet, also known as a keto diet, a process called ketosis occurs in the body. It happens when ketones build in the blood stream. Low levels of carbs in the body result in a drop in blood sugar levels. This in turn leads to breaking down of fat in order to use energy.
However, a low-carb diet is considered to be beneficial and safe but only when it is continued for a short term. In the long term, ketosis and carbohydrate deficiency can be dangerous for the body.

Read below to know the side effects of ketosis:

1. Erosion of bones
A major side effect of ketosis is bone erosion. To be in ketosis, you tend to reduce consumption of calcium. You eliminate carb containing fibres. Fibres contain crucial phytochemicals such phytic acid, oxalates and tannins and this is the reason why gut refuses to absorb calcium. This leads to weakened bones and you become more prone to fractures.

2. Leg cramps
To get in ketosis, you eliminate sources of important nutrients and minerals which are required for proper functioning of muscles. These minerals include potassium, calcium and sodium amongst others. Not being careful about getting these minerals from low-carb foods, can make your leg muscles cramp.

3. Fatigue
When your body is in a state of ketosis, it makes you feel extremely tired and fatigue. This because the body works hard in order to use alternative source of energy apart from glucose. Workout routine suffers too when you’re on ketosis. In order to fight the lethargy and fatigue, you need to increase your intake of water and salts.

4. Disturbed menstrual cycle
Following a low-carb diet makes you lose a lot of weight. Your body remains under stress most of the time this can disrupt your menstrual cycle. In some extreme cases, you can also experience amenorrhea which refers to complete absence of periods.

5. Kidney stones
Another side effect of ketosis is that it reduces your blood pH levels, this making your blood acidic. Acidic blood causes waste products in the blood to crystallise in kidneys and form kidney stones.

6. Bad breath
When on ketosis, you will get bad breath. This is because break down fat releases certain chemicals which cause bad breath.

7. Constipation and hunger
You become constipated when your body is in ketosis because fibrous foods such as whole grains, beans and legumes all contain carbohydrates. Fibre is the most important component which makes you feel full for longer and ensures smooth bowel movement. Being in ketosis means skipping foods rich in fibre which makes you constipated and hungry.

8. Dehydration
Being in a state of ketosis leads to excess build-up of ketones in the body. Excess ketones can be harmful health and are passed through the body via urine. Excessive sodium in the body is also passed through urine when your body is in ketosis. Excess urination can cause dehydration in the body.

9. Anxiety and headaches
A few days into the low-carb diet and you will begin to experience splitting headache. This happens because your brain prefers running on glucose and burns the last stores of glucose before it switches to ketones for energy. You tend to feel anxious and experience difficulty in concentration as the brain is constantly focusing on using an alternative source of energy.

10. Easy bruising
Ketosis can change your blood composition and lower your platelet count. It can also affect functioning of platelets that can make you get easily bruised. Hence, as long as you are following the low-carb diet with caution and keeping sure of your nutrient intake, it is safe to follow it in the short term.

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Always consult a medical practitioner if your symptoms persist.

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Source Brinkwire

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