I think I have the "low carb flu"

juliebowling1
juliebowling1 Posts: 36 Member
edited November 23 in Health and Weight Loss
I think I have the low carb flu. I've read up on it and I suppose it makes sense. Anybody else out there felt headaches and foggy when they started? How did you power through it?

Replies

  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    It's normal when you go into ketosis. It will pass.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    juliebowling1 wrote: »
    I think I have the low carb flu. I've read up on it and I suppose it makes sense. Anybody else out there felt headaches and foggy when they started? How did you power through it?

    +3g/day of salt. It goes away as you adapt to run on fat and ketones rather than glucose.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • juliebowling1
    juliebowling1 Posts: 36 Member
    Thanks, everyone!
  • fidangul
    fidangul Posts: 673 Member
    Ok this might sound silly... I too am on low carbs and found that I've been adding more salt to food or crave salty things more than before my weightloss began. Could it be because of the above reason?
  • ogmomma2012
    ogmomma2012 Posts: 1,520 Member
    Adding more salt, water, and taking a magnesium supplement greatly helps with the keto flu. I like Mortons Lite salt which is half salt, half potassium.
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    Yes. Salt (5000mg), potassium and magnesium will help with that a lot.

    Mine lasted about a week but got better with salt water and vitamins..
  • arb037
    arb037 Posts: 203 Member
    Keto diet needs 5000mg sodium daily as well as potassium and magnesium supplementation.
    To help enter ketosis faster the use of intermittent fasting is priceless along with a depletion (full body workout). Followed by an intake of 80-85% fat 15-20% protein intake for a day or 2 tops.
    Body is forced into fat burning aka ketosis much faster and keto flu is a non issue.
  • juliebowling1
    juliebowling1 Posts: 36 Member
    Wow
  • AlabasterVerve
    AlabasterVerve Posts: 3,171 Member
    For what it's worth, I've been eating a ketogenic level of carbs for three years. I eat some salty foods like bacon, cheese and pickles and season my food. That's it. I don't need to supplement anything or eat 5000mg of salt a day.

    I'm not saying that it's not important to pay attention to your diet/electrolytes -- it's very important especially getting enough sodium -- but I don't agree with a blanket recommendation to supplement.
  • arb037
    arb037 Posts: 203 Member
    http://ketodietapp.com/Blog/post/2013/04/16/Keto-flu-and-Sufficient-Intake-of-Electrolytes

    Yes indeed regardless if you agree ir not.
    Btw bacon contains excessive sodium as I too use it to get the much needed 5000mg a day. Thanks for making my point for me.
    As 6-7 slices of bacon can easily be 2500mg + sodium
  • elphie754
    elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
    If you have blood pressure issues, make sure you ask your doctor before increasing sodium intake.
  • mordant57
    mordant57 Posts: 58 Member
    It's normal...I had to do severely low carb for two weeks for a medical reason and I felt awful for the first couple days. I found drinking lots of broth helped. Salt and magnesium will be your friend.
  • juliebowling1
    juliebowling1 Posts: 36 Member
    So much great information here. Thanks everyone ! The fogginess has cleared up and it's just the headaches that are still bothering me. I think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
  • AspenDan
    AspenDan Posts: 703 Member
    I know nothing of this ketosis stuff, I've just been losing by keeping my calories low..enlighten me? What is it, and why is it chosen by some over just counting cals??
  • juliebowling1
    juliebowling1 Posts: 36 Member
    Excellent question. I know very little as well but I'm sure this group can point us in the right direction for info.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    danieltsmoke wrote: »
    I know nothing of this ketosis stuff, I've just been losing by keeping my calories low..enlighten me? What is it, and why is it chosen by some over just counting cals??

    Some prefer to count carbohydrates, aiming for a low intake that requires the body to make ketones to fuel the brain. eg Atkins diet. Google LCHF or Atkins or Ketogenic diet for more.

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories