Don’t get me wrong, I fully support the value of the Keto diet. I am age 77. At age 71 I went Keto, and hey presto, my high blood pressure, blood glucose levels went back to recommended levels, my arthritis disappeared, acid reflux the same. I started long distance running, won a few prizes and actually managed one marathon.
A routine blood test showed that I had kidney disease at an advanced stage which explained my rapid loss of energy for running (I am now happy if I can run half a kilometre a day), nocturia and nightly cramps. Blood sugar still in the 90.s.
I struggled against giving up Keto, especially as recommendations for CKD diet are so unclear and contradictory, apart from reducing protein and salt.
So, a week ago, I stopped Keto and am eating about 60 -70g carbs daily on a low protein CKD diet. Result: nightly cramps no longer waking me 5 -6 times a night, and more energy. Nocturia less. Blood pressure is up but apparently this will go back after a week or so.
Taking exogenous ketones isn’t a solution as it contains high amounts of sodium, and potassium.
Thanks for any recommendations.
How my Keto story worked out
I wish I had advice for you, but unfortunately, I don’t. I’ve always had trouble with my electrolytes on keto so in the past year, I upped my carbs to 50-100 grams per day. I was sleeping better and holding onto my electrolytes better. Sounds similar to you with adding in the carbs.
Do you check your ketones? I would imagine with 60-70 g of carbs a day you may still be in ketosis or moving in and out of it throughout the course of a day. Sounds like you had a lot of healing when you started keto. Maybe having your 60-70 g of carbs daily is a natural progression in your healing journey?
As far a exogenous ketones are concerned, how about MCT oil or coconut oil?
I’m sorry to hear about your kidney troubles. Are there any theories as to what caused it?
I would highly recommend you read Dr. Jason Fung’s extensive writings on fasting. He is a nephrologist and low-carbohydrate diet advocate who promotes intermittent and extended fasting.
My Mother died of complications from type 2 diabetes. One was kidney failure. She was on dialysis for a brief time. I wish we had had Dr. Fung when she was so sick. I think her life would have been longer and of much better quality…
I have nothing against people upping their carbs, in fact want to have a thread on those who have done this.
But basically all of my family have had T2 diabetes: both grandparents on my mom’s side; many relatives from my mom’s side; my dad.
I have checked my ketones after 100g of carbs two days in a row, and was still making ketones at a lower level. The problem was the first day was 100g after body weight training; the second day was not. The first day, I felt fine. The second day, I got tired, hungry, etc., all the stuff I got when I was high carb and why I’m still keto.
I’d need a continuous ketone monitor, though, because taking 1-2 ketone readings a day probably don’t tell you a lot.
Anyway, if higher carbs helps, I see nothing wrong with this. Not everyone needs to be keto forever.