[Question] Keto Flu?

(Jessica Barton Hayes) #1

So I thought I was going through Keto flu with my “symptoms” of slight muscle aches (more likely due to the yardwork we did on Saturday), headachy, and a bit grumpy. But I’ve been reading these posts about Keto flu and wowzas, I’m not suffering at all comparatively.

It has me worried that I’m not in ketosis. My question is how severe do they have to be to be considered evidence of ketosis. Any help or advice about it will be helpful.

(FTR, I’m a female who started keto diet three weeks ago today, down 4 pounds and some inches - I stalled a bit last week when my “lady times” arose)

(karen) #2

some keto (urine) test strips or a very cheap alcohol breathylizer will tell you if you’re in ketosis or not for $10 or less. They’re useless for actually measuring anything, but they’ll give you a yes or no answer.

People have varying degrees of “keto flu”. I didn’t really register any symptoms at all except when I fasted and my body clearly said “no, I don’t want to burn fat, I want my glucose and I want it NOW!” Others, as you say, really suffer. (Enough water and enough salt, plus some potassium and magnesium, are a huge help.)

(Jay AM) #3

If you are eating under 20g of net carbs a day, you’re in ketosis or you’re dead. Keto flu is not a requirement. However, to make sure you don’t get it, start making sure you get enough electrolytes now instead of later. You can get keto flu at any time being low carb whether it’s a day or 12 years into it. Look up ketoaide here, that’s a good way to get electrolytes going.

(Jessica Barton Hayes) #4

Thanks!

(LeeAnn Brooks) #5

The Keto Flu is mainly caused by electrolyt imballances. You may or may not have issues with this.
In addition to Keto Flu, many people suffer muscle exhaustion and feel lathargic.
This is caused because your not giving your body carbs anymore for fuel, this depleting your muscles of glycogen. But it takes time for your body to learn to use the ketones as energy properly. So there is often a feeling of exhaustion, especially if you are physically active.

(Chris W) #6

It is very typical to stall in the first couple weeks, this normally lasts around a week. Part of this is the water weight being released by a drop in insulin ends. At three weeks you have been ketosis for something like 2.5 weeks without question if your carbs are low. It does take a few weeks to get your liver working at full strength to the point of having enough ketones floating around in your blood to have some spare(keto adaption) so the first couple weeks if you strain your self more than normal it may be noticeable. That too shall pass and then it gets easier. This can be made worse by metabolic dysfunctions like T2D or IR. If you are feeling lethargic or tired increase your salt intake or take some under the tongue and wait a few minutes and see if that helps.