Low Carb headaches
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Excellent post above thankyou, even if I am battling to get my head round it0
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I want to clarify a sentence I wrote above: "When protein AND carbohydrates are kept low..." Regarding low protein I meant "low" as pertaining NOT to the high protein that body builders use...so let me restate the sentence so nothing is misunderstood. Let it be rewritten as: "When protein is kept at the proper RDA, and carbs are kept low..." That would be better. Thank you. Excess protein eaten while on a low carb diet will be converted to carbohydrate or fat for storage. That is why it is important while on a low carb diet to calculate how much protein you need and not go excessively over. So...the perfect low carb diet would be "enough protein to maintain and/or build muscle (if lifting weights), and low carb (which amount depends on your insulin resistance level - which is usually never more than 100g per day) Current research does say that a 1:1 ratio carb to protein also promotes fat loss IF you are exercising or lifting weights, BUT you will need to reduce calories on the 1:1 ratio, and the weight loss will be slower. All research validating this info can be found on PubMed0
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Oh my goodness...to the person who wanted medical proof that the body only needs 50-100 grams of carbs a day...here goes: I have a graduate degree in specialty biochemistry, and I will tell you that the human body doesn't need ANY carbohydrates per day and YES I will give you 1000+ Medical studies to prove that. The body makes it's OWN carbohydrate (glucose) from ingested amino acids via a process called "gluconeogenesis" when carb intake is too low. When protein AND carbs are both low, amino acids are used for structure, gluconeogenesis is halted, and fat is now broken down for its ketones which are then used as the primary fuel. The heart uses ketones EXCLUSIVELY and the peripheral tissues prefer it. In fact, that is what happens when we sleep at night. During sleep the body breaks down fat into ketones to rejuvenate the heart and peripheral tissues. Ketones are the bodies nightly rejuvenation fuel. All organs and tissues can and do use ketones as fuel...and ketoSIS (the state a person is in when eating low carb) is NOT THE SAME as (ketoACIDOSIS) that a type1 diabetic gets. They are NOT the same.
If the body needs no carbs as you say, why would the body then produce it's own carbs if it did not need them?0 -
No. The body does not need carbohydrates. EXCESS protein is converted to glucose for fuel (if needed) or stored as fat (if not needed). Just b/c the body will convert protein to carbohydrate when in excess (and if the body is caloric deficient) doesn't in any way mean it NEEDS to do that. That logic isn't accurate. That's like saying b/c the body stores excess calories as fat that the body NEEDS to store excess calories as fat. If the body always did what it NEEDED then no one would ever be obese. The body can survive forever without carbohydrates. This is just the way it is. The body will either survive on ketones if fat is high and carbs low, or make it's own glucose when caloric deficient and carbs are the dietary predominant macronutrient. This is much to difficult to explain to the lay person on a forum post. It took me years to learn all this I'm telling you in a few paragraphs...but...If you would like to split hairs...or would like a detailed study on biochemistry I suggest "Biochemistry" by Voet & Voet. It explains everything. You COULD also set up an appointment with John's Hopkins University and they will help you understand ketogenic diet and beta oxydation. I'm NOT here to argue but to help others dig out of misnomers who are on the low carb diet.0
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I agree, I feel that choosing the RIGHT carbs is key. My carbs mainly come from vegetables, so I know I am getting the vitamins that I need.
Soon, once I've lost more weight, I will re-introduce whole grains again. I started dieting using the MFP guidelines, and lost 12 lbs. But now I'm feeling that I am eating way too many carbs, especially sugars. And since Saturday, limiting my carbs and sugars, I already have much more energy, but the downside is the headaches, which I noticed started today.
The whole grains add fiber and seem to satisfy me more, along with the vegetables, plus 1-2 fruits a day - are you sure that eliminating whole grains at this phase is the correct thing to do for long term dietary changes?0 -
No. The body does not need carbohydrates. EXCESS protein is converted to glucose for fuel (if needed) or stored as fat (if not needed). Just b/c the body will convert protein to carbohydrate when in excess doesn't in any way mean it NEEDS to do that. That logic isn't accurate. That's like saying b/c the body stores excess calories as fat that the body NEEDS to store excess calories as fat. If the body always did what it NEEDED then no one would ever be obese. The body can survive forever without carbohydrates. This is just the way it is. The body will either survive on ketones if fat is kept high, or make it's own glucose if fat is low. This is much to difficult to explain to the lay person on a forum post. It took me two years to learn all this I'm telling you in a few paragraphs...but...If you would like to split hairs...or would like a detailed study on biochemistry I suggest "Biochemistry" by Voet & Voet. It explains everything. You COULD also set up an appointment with John's Hopkins university and they will help you understand ketogenic diet and beta oxydation. I'm NOT here to argue but to help others dig out of misnomers who are on the low carb diet.
So having a blood glucose level of 0 would be perfectly fine since your "The body can survive forever without carbohydrates" got it, learn something new everyday0 -
it is probably your blood sugar dropping. It is very important to eat carbs. I just try to make sure the majority of mine come from fruits and veggies0
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Good morning. You need to choose foods that have a lower glycemic index. Also, helpful hint
When you look at the nutrition facts, the amount of grams for fiber can be subtracted from total carbohydrates. 0 -
I don't have any scientfic advice or anything but I just wanted to let you know you aren't alone. I re-started healthy eating over the weekend and Monday - Tuesday I had a horrible headache and my body just felt weird. Tuesday night into Wednesday it went away and I feel great today so I'm assuming it was just my body adjusting :happy:
ETA: I just wanted to add that I was drinking lots of water, eating good proteins, lots of fruit/veggies....so I wasn't starving myself or anything.0 -
I'm doing low carb, too. I've done it before, I just needed to get back on that bandwagon.
There's not much you can do for the headaches right now. As you said, they will pass in a few days. Drink more water, take an Excedrin or two, and/or drink an extra cup of coffee or tea.
As to your question about tracking sugar alcohols: The answer is no, at least not on MFP. Some food entries already have the sugar alcohols subtracted - usually this is noted in parenthesis (0 net carbs, sugar alcohols subtracted, etc). I have not yet found a good app that helps you track these numbers well. The Atkins app touts being improved, but I think it still sucks. I try to keep a notebook. 0 -
OK...FIRST of all...Mr. Troll...we are talking INGESTED carbohydrates. Not BLOOD CHEMISTRY!!! Stop confusing these people. THEY know what I'm talking about. YOU know what I'm talking about. AND THAT IS...the body does NOT need you to EAT...I repeat EAT carbohydrates. THAT is what we are talking here, and everyone OTHER than a troll who is here to purposely confuse rather than help attempts to twist communication. We are talking about a LOW CARB DIET. NOT BLOOD CHEMISTRY. NOOOOO the body does NOT require you to EAT carbohydrates, and since THAT is what we are TALKING about...leave everyone alone. THEY understand what I meant...and...so do you. I will NOT reply to a troll anymore. My point has been made. You REALLY don't want to get into a biochemistry argument with me b/c you will lose, AND...NO ONE HERE wants to read it anyway. I will no longer respond. Everyone else understood my meaning...you don't need to EAT carbs.0
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:flowerforyou: if you are induction, you shouldn't be consuming anything with sugar alcohols BUT I believe you can choose to track them in MFP settings. If I am wrong, my apologies and I recommend just tracking the sugars then.
As for the headaches, I am low carb lifestyle to control insulin resistance by diet and exercise. When I began I cut down to a very low carb intake for the first 3 weeks. It killed all cravings and kick started my success nicely. Headaches were an issue. I wish I had started taking Chia Seeds then.... I eat them in my yogurt daily (now) but in the first weeks, had I known of them I would have put them in salads or just drank then in water. Since I began using them I have not had a single migraine... this comes from a lifelong (I missed school in kindergarten because of migraines) sufferer.
Just my experience, I won't give them up now. 1 tbs daily and the good that has come from using them far outweighs the negatives they have helped fix.0 -
Interesting reading:
Metabolic Effects of the Very-Low-Carbohydrate Diets: Misunderstood "Villains" of Human Metabolism:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2129159/
Edit: I have never done "low carb" myself, but it is still interesting reading 0 -
Interesting. Maybe I'm having the same problem. I made really healthy choices last week and have been having headaches. I thought it might be the weather but maybe it's the sudden lower carbs. Like you, I'm not "no carb," just much lower and switched to whole grain stuff. I hope you feel better without having to eat bad stuff again.
I thought it was the weather too! Because it's bloody freezing here and I've been walking my dog for over an hour outside. I just assumed it was the cold that was giving me headaches, and not my low carb. I'm trying to stick around 150g of carbs a day. Hmm...interesting.0 -
This happened to my brother with the headaches. You need to add more carbs to your diet. Your body needs carbs. Just make sure they are healthy carbs. You will see the headaches go away when you do this. Pain is your bodies way of telling you that something is wrong.
Yeah, there is something wrong and that his her body is addicted to using carbs as a primary fuel source and wants to continue down that unhealthy road.
Reducing her carb intake to where she is now is better for her not worse. 50-100 grams a day is plenty for anyone.
One of the ways to combat the carb withdrawal headaches is to up your fat content. This will also help calm carb cravings too.
Someone on MY side! Thanks! I have been eating fats, I just started this on Saturday, so it's the beginning...I've done thie WOE in the past, and the headaches subside in about a week.
Be sure to balance our fats though so you don't spike your cholesterol. try to balance between all meat sources to get all the varience of fats you need.0 -
According to Dr. Natasha Turner, NPD flu like symptoms and headaches are common the first few days of lowering your carbs or changing up your food choices.
If you just started last Saturday this would make sense. Hope it goes away soon.
Karen0 -
I think the amount of carbs you need depends on how active you are. Maybe for someone who doesn't exercise or is sedentary doesn't need many carbs, but someone who expends a lot of energy everyday (runners, bikers, etc) needs those extra carbs for fuel. I tried going "low carb" to drop weight while training for a half marathon and had no energy when I went for a run. I did this for 2 weeks so my body should have adjusted. Once I ate more carbs I felt way better and could make it through my longer runs. Also, carbs are NOT bad for your body; there are good and bad carbs. Carbs have been given such a bad image because people only think of food with refined white flours and tons of sugar, but there are whole grains out there that your body breaks down slowly and don't spike your blood sugar. So I believe people should not be afraid to eat carbs, unless they have some pre-existing medical condition that would cause them more harm than good if they did.0
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The first few days I was having headaches and would take a few sips of a juice or put about a teaspoon of sugar in some coffee to stave them off. I think I did this for 3 days, then was totally fine, so a "weaning" worked for me.0
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....Excess protein eaten while on a low carb diet will be converted to carbohydrate or fat for storage. That is why it is important while on a low carb diet to calculate how much protein you need and not go excessively over. So...the perfect low carb diet would be "enough protein to maintain and/or build muscle (if lifting weights), and low carb (which amount depends on your insulin resistance level - which is usually never more than 100g per day) Current research does say that a 1:1 ratio carb to protein also promotes fat loss IF you are exercising or lifting weights, BUT you will need to reduce calories on the 1:1 ratio, and the weight loss will be slower. All research validating this info can be found on PubMed
THANK YOU! I did not know this and I greatly appreciate this information. I have no trouble following and sticking to my low carb lifestyle. I maintain between 50 and 75 NET carbs per day, sometimes lower than 50 but VERY RARELY will it ever reach 75 much less go above. I did not know that bit about protein being transferred to fat for storage. I have been doing very well where I am but this will definately be something I keep an eye on when I go into maintanence soon...0 -
No. The body does not need carbohydrates. EXCESS protein is converted to glucose for fuel (if needed) or stored as fat (if not needed). Just b/c the body will convert protein to carbohydrate when in excess doesn't in any way mean it NEEDS to do that. That logic isn't accurate. That's like saying b/c the body stores excess calories as fat that the body NEEDS to store excess calories as fat. If the body always did what it NEEDED then no one would ever be obese. The body can survive forever without carbohydrates. This is just the way it is. The body will either survive on ketones if fat is kept high, or make it's own glucose if fat is low. This is much to difficult to explain to the lay person on a forum post. It took me two years to learn all this I'm telling you in a few paragraphs...but...If you would like to split hairs...or would like a detailed study on biochemistry I suggest "Biochemistry" by Voet & Voet. It explains everything. You COULD also set up an appointment with John's Hopkins university and they will help you understand ketogenic diet and beta oxydation. I'm NOT here to argue but to help others dig out of misnomers who are on the low carb diet.
So having a blood glucose level of 0 would be perfectly fine since your "The body can survive forever without carbohydrates" got it, learn something new everyday
You are being annoying, rude, redundant, and difficult to a fault. So stop, please. The sarcasm in this post is noted and not necessary. I live low carb and within a few short months of changing my lifestyle and eating habits, my doctors were commending me on my success losing weight AND getting my bloodwork moving in the right direction QUICKLY. I was off diabetis meds within 3 months of going low carb, have matained healthy glucose blood levels since, brought my triglycerides and Cholesterol levels into normal healthy ranges, have been taken off my blood pressure meds, have more energy than I have ever had, AND my general attitude toward rude people is mcuh more appropriate than it once was. But you sir are being ridiculous for the sake of nothing more than arguing and ruffling feathers. Move along if you don't agree. You asked for back up and got it from a medical student. Unless you are going to share some facts of your own and back them up, feel free to not comment.0 -
@msitarilde...he's not a "troll"...he's just a "run of the mill goblin".
For OP, and others, you are experiencing something called the Carb Flu. When you cut your sugar and carb intake drastically, you will get headaches, fatigue, and sometimes achy legs. Drink lots of water, take your multi-vitamins, take some Excedrin. Should pass in a few days if you stick to the low-carb. But, eating carbs or drinking sugary drinks to make you feel better will just delay the problem if you truly intend to follow a low-carb lifestyle.
Good luck!0 -
Are you drinking enough water?
Make sure you're eating enough. A big bowl of spinach with some chicken and cheese and a big glass of water always hit the spot and helped. It will go away. just make sure you're getting healthy foods and enough of them when you cut out all the other stuff. At the begining I was very tired with a tired headache as well. (I"ve been doing 'low' carb meaning cutting out basically flour and sugar for a year now so that's long gone and it only really lasted a few days I think a lot of it was in my head)0 -
Are you drinking enough water?
Make sure you're eating enough. A big bowl of spinach with some chicken and cheese and a big glass of water always hit the spot and helped. It will go away. just make sure you're getting healthy foods and enough of them when you cut out all the other stuff. At the begining I was very tired with a tired headache as well. (I"ve been doing 'low' carb meaning cutting out basically flour and sugar for a year now so that's long gone and it only really lasted a few days I think a lot of it was in my head)
Love your before/after pics! When did you start and are you doing low-carb only, or is that a result of cardio exercise or weights? Combination? Great job!0 -
No. The body does not need carbohydrates. EXCESS protein is converted to glucose for fuel (if needed) or stored as fat (if not needed). Just b/c the body will convert protein to carbohydrate when in excess doesn't in any way mean it NEEDS to do that. That logic isn't accurate. That's like saying b/c the body stores excess calories as fat that the body NEEDS to store excess calories as fat. If the body always did what it NEEDED then no one would ever be obese. The body can survive forever without carbohydrates. This is just the way it is. The body will either survive on ketones if fat is kept high, or make it's own glucose if fat is low. This is much to difficult to explain to the lay person on a forum post. It took me two years to learn all this I'm telling you in a few paragraphs...but...If you would like to split hairs...or would like a detailed study on biochemistry I suggest "Biochemistry" by Voet & Voet. It explains everything. You COULD also set up an appointment with John's Hopkins university and they will help you understand ketogenic diet and beta oxydation. I'm NOT here to argue but to help others dig out of misnomers who are on the low carb diet.
So having a blood glucose level of 0 would be perfectly fine since your "The body can survive forever without carbohydrates" got it, learn something new everyday
You are being annoying, rude, redundant, and difficult to a fault. So stop, please. The sarcasm in this post is noted and not necessary. I live low carb and within a few short months of changing my lifestyle and eating habits, my doctors were commending me on my success losing weight AND getting my bloodwork moving in the right direction QUICKLY. I was off diabetis meds within 3 months of going low carb, have matained healthy glucose blood levels since, brought my triglycerides and Cholesterol levels into normal healthy ranges, have been taken off my blood pressure meds, have more energy than I have ever had, AND my general attitude toward rude people is mcuh more appropriate than it once was. But you sir are being ridiculous for the sake of nothing more than arguing and ruffling feathers. Move along if you don't agree. You asked for back up and got it from a medical student. Unless you are going to share some facts of your own and back them up, feel free to not comment.
You threw out your credentials, so I simply asked if you could survive without carbs as you had stated. Congrats on your weightloss though and I'm sure losing weight had zilch to do with your improving blood markers of health, it was solely from low carb.0 -
I think I love you.OK...FIRST of all...Mr. Troll...we are talking INGESTED carbohydrates. Not BLOOD CHEMISTRY!!! Stop confusing these people. THEY know what I'm talking about. YOU know what I'm talking about. AND THAT IS...the body does NOT need you to EAT...I repeat EAT carbohydrates. THAT is what we are talking here, and everyone OTHER than a troll who is here to purposely confuse rather than help attempts to twist communication. We are talking about a LOW CARB DIET. NOT BLOOD CHEMISTRY. NOOOOO the body does NOT require you to EAT carbohydrates, and since THAT is what we are TALKING about...leave everyone alone. THEY understand what I meant...and...so do you. I will NOT reply to a troll anymore. My point has been made. You REALLY don't want to get into a biochemistry argument with me b/c you will lose, AND...NO ONE HERE wants to read it anyway. I will no longer respond. Everyone else understood my meaning...you don't need to EAT carbs.
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Are you drinking enough water?
Make sure you're eating enough. A big bowl of spinach with some chicken and cheese and a big glass of water always hit the spot and helped. It will go away. just make sure you're getting healthy foods and enough of them when you cut out all the other stuff. At the begining I was very tired with a tired headache as well. (I"ve been doing 'low' carb meaning cutting out basically flour and sugar for a year now so that's long gone and it only really lasted a few days I think a lot of it was in my head)
Love your before/after pics! When did you start and are you doing low-carb only, or is that a result of cardio exercise or weights? Combination? Great job!
Thanks!!!! A mixture of the three (weights/cardio/low carb) but the low carb had more to do with it than the exercise - I was working out at the before pic but skipping lunch for the birthday cake and skipping some calories to fit in the pizza to get my calories to fit in - so cutting out sugar and flour and having extra veggies instead of fries or potatoes at dinner or a salad instead of a sandwich at lunch (low carb) accounted for most of it - The after pic is like 12 or so pounds ago I think. I feel so good without eating all that crap!0 -
OK...FIRST of all...Mr. Troll...we are talking INGESTED carbohydrates. Not BLOOD CHEMISTRY!!! Stop confusing these people. THEY know what I'm talking about. YOU know what I'm talking about. AND THAT IS...the body does NOT need you to EAT...I repeat EAT carbohydrates. THAT is what we are talking here, and everyone OTHER than a troll who is here to purposely confuse rather than help attempts to twist communication. We are talking about a LOW CARB DIET. NOT BLOOD CHEMISTRY. NOOOOO the body does NOT require you to EAT carbohydrates, and since THAT is what we are TALKING about...leave everyone alone. THEY understand what I meant...and...so do you. I will NOT reply to a troll anymore. My point has been made. You REALLY don't want to get into a biochemistry argument with me b/c you will lose, AND...NO ONE HERE wants to read it anyway. I will no longer respond. Everyone else understood my meaning...you don't need to EAT carbs.
So perhaps there is a difference between dietary carbohydrates and carbohydrates? Imagine that0 -
As a newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic I visited a dietician who told me I had cut down too far on carbs. She indicated that I needed at least 100 g per day or I would get headaches. I went up to the 100 level and the headaches stopped. Have lost 18.4 lbs in just under 4 weeks so far so I feel the carb level for me is correct.0
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You are being annoying, rude, redundant, and difficult to a fault. So stop, please. The sarcasm in this post is noted and not necessary.
The Ignore User selection works wonders on problems like this.0 -
You are being annoying, rude, redundant, and difficult to a fault. So stop, please. The sarcasm in this post is noted and not necessary.
The Ignore User selection works wonders on problems like this.
Actually, I think I've figured out what's going on here. Acg67, who I will just call Ace from now on, fancies himself our savior. He must believe that we've all been led astray by the False Prophets of Nutrition and Diet, Dr. Atkins, Dr. Cordain, Dr. Sears, Taubes and their ilk. We need a'saving, and ole Ace is gonna save us! Why else would he troll our den of iniquity, the low-carb posts?0
This discussion has been closed.
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