Keto flu? Electrolyte imbalance?

(Sam) #1

Hi, keto gang!

Hope everyone is well. I wanted some input regarding symptoms. First of all I just want to make it clear I’ve been checked out medically and all came back normal :).
So I just wanted to know could the symptoms be related to keto flu, electrolyte issue or anything else you guys know off.
I know I made mistakes in the process of going into the diet.
I jumped straight into the diet without aot of research and completely stopped or ridiculously reduced carbs and just started eating 1 time a day. Also going to the gym 3 times a week and increased my water intake.

I was fine and then started to feel a bit weird about 2 weeks in. I went to the gym and once a finished my cardio and got into the car I started feeling light headed, heart rate increased and thought I was gonna faint. Probably lasted 30 seconds. (Got checked up by doctors and was good to go) They assumed it’s probably the diet/fasting. So I went straight back to my old diet the next day and I had a feeling in my head like a flash bang. (Again got medically checked all fine).

Is there any possibility this could be related to keto. I was told could be due to shock of diet changeas I went straight in and out. Or related to carbohydrates intake completely almost removed, sugar intake dropped, drinking a lot of water may have impacted electrolytes or fasting while working out? As anyone experienced anything similar or know anything about this? Although been checked medically just wanted some peace or reassurance I guess that keto may have played a role? Thanks you!

(Bob M) #2

Whoa, that’s a lot you did at one time Going to one meal a day is not advisable, at least initially. Also, you should up your salt intake, in particular, even taking salt directly.

If you want to ease into keto, this might be the best way I’ve heard: replace breakfast with keto for 1-2 weeks; then lunch with keto for 1-2 weeks; then dinner with keto. See how that works.

I did not do this, but it seems like an easier way to transition.

(Ohio ) #3

Like Bob mentioned OMAD is not advisable. I only do it when everything is really clicking for me and I have super high quality meat. Ketosis is much more important than doing a OMAD/hardcore IF/ etc. I tell rookies to completely ignore IF.

#4

Omad can be perfectly fine if it suits you but some people can’t eat enough on keto let alone sudden OMAD keto. But it’s very individual.

I know I couldn’t do keto right away (well, after a short low-carb period that was super easy), some of us need to do it more gradually than others. But I just missed carbs physically right away, never felt light headed. Never did serious exercise either, that’s true…
Electrolyte imbalance can cause it though but it’s not the only option so I don’t know. I don’t even know if you eat properly… When I undereat (super rare but happened), my body tend to reply with weakness and stuff…

Depends on the person. If I want to lose fat (I do), OMAD helps (even if I do my best to pull it off with 2MAD for reasons right now), keto didn’t help.
But if just keto is the goal, it’s probably best to eat in a window that feels normal, one big change should be enough (but some people manages very drastic woe changes so it’s not true for everyone). I definitely wouldn’t start to force-feed myself on keto either so if one has 1-2 meals on high-carb, it makes sense to have 1-2 meals on keto too UNLESS the meals inevitably diminish so more meals are needed. I would just follow my body. Of course we need to get our nutrients.