Why did the classical ketogenic diet entail fluid restriction?

(Keelan Waldron) #1

Hi all,

The original ketogenic diet (4:1) designed for epilepsy treatment involved restricting fluids, I read. To my knowledge, this is because it accelerates ketosis. However, I then read that it is no longer recommended and no longer seen as beneficial.

So, does restricting water and potentially going for a full-on dry fast achieve ketosis the fastest? If so, why was this element removed from the classical ketogenic diet after a while? Were the potential dangers of dehydration seen as outweighing the benefits of fluid restriction?

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #2

When the ketogenic diet for epilepsy was developed, it was not yet known that carbohydrate causes the kidneys to retain water and sodium, and that one needed to work at keeping sodium up once the diet allowed the kidneys to resume excreting sodium and water at their normal, higher rate. There may or may not perhaps still be some benefit to epileptics from restricting fluids, but the rest of us should eat more salt and drink to thirst.

(Bunny) #3

Highlights: drink when you are thirsty (quench thirst e.g. sedentary, exercise, physical exertion, heat) and not to excess when you are not thirsty or drinking water just to drink water because X (they say?) said (who is they?) Y (do this)? Really look at the research for yourself? Human body knows when it’s thirsty? Drinking excess (non-electrolyte) water can actually cause dehydration (loss of electrolytes) or cause a condition called hyponatremia (3 million US cases per year)!