Mental clarity on keto

(Andreas Krauer) #1

I am trying the keto diet for the first time. I am in week NO. 3 now. I am tall and skinny already so I didn’t start the diet in order to lose weight. Actually, I am trying to gain weight on it. When I started to cut out carbs I immediately noticed an improvement in my ability to focus and concentrate. That improvement held on over the course of the last 12 days. But then started to fade again. I monitor my food intake and my macros are 2525 cal per day consisting of 20g net carbs,108g protein, 221g fat. I eat 3 meals a day.

According to the Keto-Diastix for Urinanalysis my levels are: Ketone mmol/l 4, mg/dL 40 Glucose mmol/l 0

Does anybody have a suggestion how to get back into the mental clarity mode? I have no idea what kicks me out of it or maybe that is not permanent?

(Allie) #2

Are you supplementing electrolytes? Mainly sodium & magnesium. Deficiencies are very common, especially early days, and will cause brain fog.

(Andreas Krauer) #3

I take a multivitamin tablet daily, which includes 300mg of magnesium which is 80% NRV in addition to that I take half a beef bouillon cube a day to add sodium. :thinking:

#4

Hi i am really, new to Keto, in fact i got into it semi accidentally due to fasting.
Anyway as an adjunct to the fast i would take a really low dose of exogenous ketones (Instaketones 1tsp) with electrolytes (High5 zero). I found this nearly always improved my mental clarity. Also drinking mineral water not tap water helped too.
Taking a multivitamin which i do every other day - does not seem to help with my mental clarity.
Hope you find the answer your looking for.

#5

No expert, but I think people on keto diet needs more magnesium than the NRV suggested as your body holds less water, thus less electrolytes in circulation…

I am in a similar state. Doing this for the mental clarity (and to maintain/gain muscle even down the road). I take multi-vitamin (only 100 mg in there), and 500 mg extra. But my maintenance intake is at 1800 cals, for reference.

(Allie) #6

These amounts are nowhere near the amounts required on keto.

#7

I thought of another couple of things that impede my mental clarity.

A backed up gut, which seems to happen easily for me on Keto.
And a sensitivity to something i am eating. Generally i know what foods i am sensitive to, but i also know that i develop sensitivities that lead to inflammation if i don’t rotate my foods.

#8

I highly recommend fasting, intermittent fasting is a good start.

(CharleyD) #9

Yep, aside from not eating as often, not saying eat less, many folks swear by adding butter, coconut oil, MCT oil (in order of cost in my opinion) to coffee for the happy brain.

May want to invest in either an immersion blender or whisk to keep the oils blended nicely.