Lightheaded feeling getting worse

(Tony Campbell) #21

I didn’t realise that normal liquid coconut oil was the same as MCT. Is the oil that is semi solid at room temp the same? If so, I already have a jar…

(Tony Campbell) #22

Thanks David…I wondered what had gone wrong😄

(Edith) #23

I agree with @amwassil. I don’t think you are eating enough. Also three liters of water is a lot. Are you thirsty when you drink, or are you just drinking to fulfill a certain quota? All that water could be flushing out electrolytes.

(Tony Campbell) #24

No, not filling any ‘quotas’, that’s my normal intake in a day. I also work out, so replace fluids and electrolytes regularly. Those top ups are also part of my daily fluid intake.

(Michael - When reality fails to meet expectations, the problem is not reality.) #25

@Mtb Coconut oil contains short, medium and long chain triglycerides (ie fatty acids). Mostly long chain which is why pure coconut oil is solid below about 70F and only semi-solid and liquid above that temp. The short and medium chains are liquid at room temp and below. In fact, you can refrigerate them and they won’t solidify. Put whatever you have in the fridge for a couple hours and if it solidifies it contains long chain triglycerides, so is likely just plain coconut oil.

As you might guess from the name ‘MCT oil’ is composed of medium chain triglycerides extracted from the coconut oil. It probably also contains short chains, but they are a minor proportion of the original coconut oil, so not much, but also OK. This stuff is sold in stores as ‘Liquid Coconut Oil’ OR ‘Coconut Cooking Oil’ but it’s exactly same stuff that’s sold in health food stores as MCT Oil. As I mentioned, just make sure it’s ‘cold pressed’. It will say so on the label if it is. It’s important. Also make sure the list of ingredients includes only coconut and nothing else! For example, if the label says “93%” MCTs, don’t buy it, even if coconut is the only listed ingredient.

(Tony Campbell) #26

Here’s an interesting, but also annoying thing…
In the uk, we have several major supermarkets, some of the major ones are Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s etc. All list liquid coconut oil, in fact I had a bottle of Asda’s until I finished it recently. Now, however, all of them have it listed as unavailable! They all have the solid coconut oil, but seem to have dropped the liquid variety. Strange??

(Susan) #27

I buy the solid form from Costco (but it melts quickly on the stovetop or microwave if you want it to be liquid).

(Tony Campbell) #28

I already have the solid form, but I gather that has the long chain triglycerides instead of mostly medium and short. The kind that Michael recommended, is the liquid type which is apparently the same as MCT oil. For some reason, supermarkets have stopped supplying it! Weird!

(Susan) #29

Oh, that is too bad. Maybe you can get it from Amazon?

I bought the Vanilla flavoured MCT powder from them.

(Khara) #30

How much potassium are you supplementing?
This might be far off from your issue, and I think you added potassium after symptoms started as a hopeful remedy, but I wanted to make sure you are aware that too much potassium is a bad thing. It also can show as symptoms of tiredness/weakness. Hope you’re feeling better soon!

(Tony Campbell) #31

I log everything with cronometer, which also tracks my vitamins and minerals. Potassium is one of the harder minerals to get to your recommended levels on keto, due to food restrictions, so I supplement. Even though I supplement, I rarely make the level recommended, so no, I don’t think it’s too much potassium at this point…one thing I have noticed though…the “keto is this easy” sticky should come with a warning that it isn’t!!! :upside_down_face:

(Tony Campbell) #32

That looks like the case for me, although there is one ‘health food’ shop nearby that sells 100%mct oil, but at an horrendous price! I think I might wait till I can get it from amazon.

(Tony Campbell) #33

This morning, in a fasted from 9pm state, I took my BG and it is really high at 6.4
Also my BK is down to 0.4
Apart from taking some coconut oil late last night ( normally I 16:8 from 8pm till midday), I did nothing different. According to my BKI, I’m out of ketosis! Although, 0.4 ketones and the horrible taste in my mouth this morning says I’m marginal.
Is it usual for BG to take a jump in the morning some times? Oh, and I dropped 0.25kg since yesterday… or 1/2lb for my friends in the States!

(Tony Campbell) #34

As an update, 45 min weight session and 30 min cycle spin class then rehydrated and BG is down to 4.3, but BK has dropped further to just 0.3 ! Not quite sure what to make from this?
I think it’s a case of carrying on regardless.
Oh, forgot to add…in this ‘lower’ state of ketosis, my lightheaded feeling has completely gone. So, (just an assumption) I think my lightheadedness is actually my bodies way of saying that I’m in ketosis.
Unless it becomes intolerable, I’m just going to ride it out when I’m back in deeper ketosis.
Still no idea what has kicked me out though, as I said, apart from a late night dose of coconut oil, nothing different!

#35

Every time I’ve tried to get the recommended levels via supplemetation, I ended up not feeling well. Usually a headache with low (for me) blood pressure. RDA’s can be way off in some areas for an individual vs a median level for a population, and I think potassium is one of the things that isn’t right for everyone. Also, ketosis changes the way your kidneys excrete salts so using a standard for non-keto people might be unwise.

It’s better to go by symptoms, not numbers, concerning electrolytes.

Do you have a blood pressure cuff you can use to see where you’re at?

(Jane- Old Inky Crone) #36

My n=1: I was cautioned against using too much potassium early on by members of this forum. When I had my last blood test my potassium was at the high level of normal, without using any potassium for over 2 months. Cronometer says I’m very deficient in my potassium intake.

(Diane) #37

It’s best if you can buy an MCT oil which lists the types and percentages of the MCT’s (C6, C8, C10 and C12) it contains. I like to buy those that contain C8 & C10 or just C8. C8 is often indicated as being the MCT that is best utilized by the brain. They do tend to be more expensive.

Here’s a link to an article that discusses MCT’s in more detail.

I would be really careful when starting to supplement with MCT oil. Maybe start out with 1/2 to 1 tsp with food. Increase the amount and frequency over time as tolerated. It gave me horrible diarrhea at first even with small amounts.

(Tony Campbell) #38

I do :grinning: and yup its within normal (102/73). I did have high bp a year or so ago, but after losing weight, I was able to come off of meds. Doc says I’m textbook bp’s now. Another benefit of weight loss and regular gym has been my resting heart rate can be as low as 62, which apart from showing good circulatory condition, is also not too shabby for someone my age!

(Tony Campbell) #39

That was really interesting, thank you for the link. :+1:

(Anton) #40

@Mtb Did your problems with lightheadedness go away? Did the MCT’s help or something else? Or just time?

I am in a similar situation: week 7 of keto, electrolytes are as recommended (although tracking since 1 week only). But still feel lightheaded, especially after meals.