Cures For The Low Carb Flu

PINKinquisition1908 · November 2012

Hi everyone. I am starting induction again today. This is my 4th time. Each time I am unable to sustain low levels (below 50g) because I get "the low carb flu". Boy do I get it. Achy limbs, dizziness, blurry vision, you name it. Each time it is so awful I can't last for more than 3 days. At the 3 day mark I am literally so ill that I tear into anything with carbs to make the limb pain stop. Scary huh?!?

Nevertheless, I am trying it again. This time I am drinking WATER like it's the only beverage on earth (6 glasses so far today). I'm feeling okay, but I am afraid the flu could be lurking. Does anyone who gets the "flu" have any other things besides the water I can do to ward off the symptoms?

Your advice would be much appreciated.

PaleoPath4Lyfe · November 2012

Up your fat and protein intake, drink water and herbal teas. Make sure to eat plenty of green leafy vegetables and Rest. Fight through the detox of the sugar mess and you will come out on the other side brimming with a new found energy after a few days.

It usually (everyone is different) takes 5-7 days.

Make sure you have plenty of fresh veggies cut and cleaned to snack on, jerky, hard boiled eggs, etc.

PINKinquisition1908 · November 2012

Thanks, I'll try that

Acg67 · November 2012

Seeing as low carb diets have no metabolic advantage, why not just eat carbs to cure your low carb flu? Unless you have a medical disorder that would make low carb a more optimal dietary choice

CrazyCatLadylovescats · November 2012

Up your fat and protein, like the other person said. Also, take a multivitamin. (I used my kid's chewable ones because they were what I had.) I understand the science behind what you are doing - it is a good thing!

PINKinquisition1908 · November 2012

Thanks for the advice. I do have issues with blood sugar that require carb control. Even when I am not "low carbing" I keep it under 200g a day. Thanks for looking out for me though.

thealexbeard · November 2012

200g of carbohydrates is far from what most would consider "low carb." If you feel that limiting carbohydrate consumption, albeit minimally, would benefit your health, I've read that a cup of quality chicken stock does the trick. If you can't access this, use a generic stock with a pad of butter for added fat.

I have read countless stories of the "wonders" this works for those experiencing the low carb flu.

SideSteel · November 2012

200g is plenty and is quite a long way from "low carb".

I would recommend that you choose a different method.

PINKinquisition1908 · November 2012

Thanks

PINKinquisition1908 · November 2012

Thanks

deb3129 · November 2012

The fact that you are feeling that badly while doing it is your bodies way of telling you it's not good. Why would you choose a diet that makes you feel awful?

alaskaang · November 2012

Instead of going under 50, I would suggest keeping your carbs between 50 and 100. It's a good level of restriction, but allows more flexibility and likely less of the side affects. I found that I couldn't sustain the under 50, but close to 100 is pretty easy. It allows for lots of veggies and a piece of fruit or small serving of potato or rice if needed.

castlerobber · November 2012

Chicken or beef bouillon or broth, a couple of cups a day until you've adjusted. The extra sodium helps some people.

Work your way down slowly. If below 50 grams is where the problem starts, camp out at 50g for a few weeks to let your body adjust. You might not even need to go any lower, depending on what you're trying to accomplish.

Chief_Rocka · November 2012

So the lesson you got from this was "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again?"

Good luck with your energy goals in 2012 :flowerforyou:

PINKinquisition1908 · November 2012

Thanks so much

PINKinquisition1908 · November 2012

Thanks for the encouragement, and the flower. lol

PINKinquisition1908 · November 2012

Good advice. I'll get some broth tonight. Thanks

Melo1966 · November 2012

Going from 200 to 50 is extreme and why it makes you feel bad your body is going into shock.. Drop slowly like 50 each week for a month.

lisarenee_x0 · November 2012

I started out doing Atkins. I lost 60lbs. on it, and then I got pregnant. Since my daughter has been born, I have tried induction several times and failed because it's so hard to stick to fixing something healthy when there's a baby screaming her lungs out =( but I've made the decision to start planning it better, because a new baby is no excuse - she should be my motivator! I'm sick of doing what's easy, because what's easy is what got me to obesity.

Anyway, when I started Atkins, I didn't start off drinking the water two weeks straight as it called for. I weened myself of soda by having a couple drinks a day.. then I moved on to those little packets you can stick in the water, they have NOTHING in them at all, no carbs! Crystal Light Lemon Tea was the one I used the most. Eventually, I finally got to where I was drinking four or five 36 oz bottles of water a day, and when I went without my water, I felt like crud. Gradually pull yourself off the bad stuff.. I believe in caffeine headaches and somewhat "sugar withdrawal." After the two straight weeks, however, my sweet tooth was totally gone.. I didn't want the cookies, chocolate, etc.

CynthiaElise · November 2012

Hmm, why not just eat in moderation???... Why put yourself through that, completely restricting yourself, if you feel that terrible!? Listen to your body, eff!

zaph0d · November 2012

Pasta

PINKinquisition1908 · November 2012

Thanks for the advice, and sharing your personal struggle. Hang in there, things will get better with the baby.

PINKinquisition1908 · November 2012

Tina Fey cracks me up. Thanks for a good giggle.

SanteMulberry · November 2012

There could be several things going on. The first that comes to mind is that you are having a "die-off" reaction of yeast colonies in the gut. The little yeast beasties are used to getting their sugar and simple carb fix and they start to die-off (from starvation) when they are deprived of fuel. When the yeast die, they release toxins into the gut where they are absorbed and sent into the bloodstream to wreak havoc with bodily systems. The die-off reaction can last for a few days provided you don't start loading up on sugar and simple carbs which will short-circuit the detoxification. It is essential that you eat a LOT of vegetables during this phase as vegetables of any kind help in detoxification. Spinach is especially valuable as is butter (butter contains an anti-yeast agent called butyric acid) for combating the yeasts and the toxins they shed.

Your stated carb intake is not low enough to be causing serious ketosis but there could be ketone bodies present just from fat-burning, if you are engaging in serious exercise. Ketosis can produce some of the same symptoms that you have spoken of---because it is a mildly toxic condition. Water is very important to flush out the by-products of body-fat consumption, and it is especially important when ketone bodies are present.

The muscle aches may be a product of low magnesium levels if you are used to getting a lot of your magnesium requirements from whole grains. If you have especially large, firm muscles, your magnesium requirements will be much higher than your lightly-muscled friends. Magnesium supplements rarely help a great deal because they are poorly absorbed, due to their tendency to create diarrhea. A better alternative is to take epsom salts baths (epsom salts are pure magnesium sulphate). The sulphate absorption will do good things for your muscles as well. The more deficient you are, the more magnesium you will absorb through your skin. Just follow the directions on the package--Epsom salts are available at Wal-Mart, I think, as well as most pharmacies. There is also something called "magnesium oil" which is derived from evaporated sea water. It is magnesium chloride but the sulphate that you get in the Epsom salts may be more beneficial as we rarely have chloride deficiencies (because we eat a lot of sodium chloride--salt) but sulphur deficiencies are common.

Not only will the magnesium give you added energy (an abundance of magnesium ions in the blood are essential for the transport of ATP---the enzyme responsible for energy at the cellular level)---bringing your magnesium levels up will also help you to better absorb and store potassium from the fruits and vegetables that you eat. You might want to avoid high sugar fruits like dried fruit for a while though as the high sugar content will feed the yeasts in your gut. Berries are the best source of lower-carb, fruit-eating (as you probably know). Good luck!

SanteMulberry · November 2012

I just read back over the responses. Are you going below 50 grams of carbs? If so, it is NOT a good idea to stay at that level very long as it will induce severe ketosis. A few days of it can be safe for most people but many people feel awful because of the disruption to their biochemistry. A safer level is between 100 to 200 grams (on particularly strenuous days, the 200 gram level is preferable). Carbohydrates have what is called, a "muscle-sparing effect". When you go below 100 grams of carbohydrates per day, your body is likely to start catabolizing your muscles for energy. That is why, to be on the safe side, 200 grams is better if you are working out a lot.

PINKinquisition1908 · November 2012

Wow! This was so helpful. Especially the tips about the Epsom Salt. I never understood why the salts worked for pain. I do have a great deal of muscle. Especially in my upper body. This will go on my list of helpful hints. I really appreciate you taking the time to share this information.

SanteMulberry · November 2012

You're welcome!

You might also want to read my follow-up comment. 50 grams of carbs per day is too low. You need the protein-sparing effect of a higher carb intake---especially if you are working out a lot.

kservia · February 2013

You are so patient because I get so frustrated when people give two cents when you ask for 25. Nonetheless...I've started taking fish oil and a multi-vitamin every night this time around and I've noticed a huge difference since trying it 3 times before myself. Also the water and extra salt and fat (butter, olive oil, and coconut oil) are really helping as well.

valtiller · February 2013

You need carbs! The simplest form of carbohydrates is glucose. The body breaks down carbs to make glucose. Glucose feeds out brain and blood. Get your carbs. If you are avoiding bread carbs, then do so, but eat fruit that are high in carbs to feed your brain (bananas are awesome).

bouchie11982 · February 2013

I agree. No need to go low carb. If you are doing low carb like no bread or pasta, no need to limit it, just make smarter carb choices. I have never seen anyone go as low as 50g a day for carbs, not even IFBB pros.
Since this thread is back from late 2012, I hope you increased your carb intake by then and are feeling better.

Darlekins · February 2013

Did you miss that the OP has blood sugar issues? Carbs in the form of grains and fruits are the last thing someone with blood sugar issues needs.

Op, I also sugggest some additional salt and fat - broth (especially homemade) is good. Reducing your carb level slowly will also help the flu symptoms. Good luck

Cures For The Low Carb Flu

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