Headaches with Lower Carb Diet
Replies
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Thanks for all the advice. I took an extra potassium capsule this morning and a magnesium citrate. I also broke down and had a glass of orange juice. I know it's a no-no on low carb, but I'm really suffering. The weird thing is my husband initially resisted the diet and is doing great, but I'm having a hard time. However, he's diabetic and significantly overweight (actually obese by the BMI), but I'm normal weight. Maybe he's got lots of potassium and sodium in reserve?
By the way, what is the benefit of ketosis (Dr. Ludwig doesn't mention it in his book), and why is it worth going through all this suffering?
Sodium is the one you need to increase. Add a teaspoon of salt to water or just drink a clear slaty broth. It will help. Honest! There is no need to suffer. It's an electrolyte imbalance. Those in ketosis should not feel that way unless your nutrients and minerals are out of whack. No one would stick with ketosis if that was the way you were supposed to feel.
The benefits of ketosis is usually easier weight loss (mainly for those with some insulin resistance) and better health. Many of us have steadier and increased energy. It is great for the brain once you have been doing it for a few weeks; the brain often runs better on ketones. insulin is usually lower and blood glucose levels fall. Endurance athletes notice they are less likely to "hit the wall".
I guess that's why my husband who is diabetic and insulin resistant is faring better than I am. I feel as if I'm in a brain fog. I haven't lost any weight yet, either, but I'm also tracking, and I'm still eating the same number of calories, just distributed differently.
The LCHF diet may be suited better to him for weight loss. It would have nothing to do with the brain fog though. That is caused by low sodium. Have you increased your sodium / salt?robin_spooner wrote: »Thanks for all the advice. I took an extra potassium capsule this morning and a magnesium citrate. I also broke down and had a glass of orange juice. I know it's a no-no on low carb, but I'm really suffering. The weird thing is my husband initially resisted the diet and is doing great, but I'm having a hard time. However, he's diabetic and significantly overweight (actually obese by the BMI), but I'm normal weight. Maybe he's got lots of potassium and sodium in reserve?
By the way, what is the benefit of ketosis (Dr. Ludwig doesn't mention it in his book), and why is it worth going through all this suffering?
Ketosis is making your body sick on purpose in order to lose weight. In nature, it is only used if we get the flu or have food poisoning. It only goes so far before the body hunger signal kicks in and your body rebels. Yo yo dieting results.
There is a high carb diabetic diet out there that may be more align with the natural human diet. We are starchivores and have sugar receptors on out tongue, not protein receptors like true carnivores so ( dogs, cats, lions, etc.). Also, every cell in the human body runs on glucose so your carb reduction is causing imbalances which are showing up as headaches. I can't remember the name of the book but you could google the topic and the book and/or the doctor's name should come up.
Ketosis is not a state of illness. You use ketones every night while you sleep unless you are getting up every couple of hours to eat. I'm afraid you are misinformed on the topic of ketosis.
Starchivores? For diabetics? I can't see anything healthy about that.... And like us, dogs are not true carnivores like cats are.
Ketosis is what happens in starvation. Starvation causes weight loss. Extreme ketosis as in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life threatening condition.0 -
aimeesun213 wrote: »Thanks for all the advice. I took an extra potassium capsule this morning and a magnesium citrate. I also broke down and had a glass of orange juice. I know it's a no-no on low carb, but I'm really suffering. The weird thing is my husband initially resisted the diet and is doing great, but I'm having a hard time. However, he's diabetic and significantly overweight (actually obese by the BMI), but I'm normal weight. Maybe he's got lots of potassium and sodium in reserve?
By the way, what is the benefit of ketosis (Dr. Ludwig doesn't mention it in his book), and why is it worth going through all this suffering?
Sodium is the one you need to increase. Add a teaspoon of salt to water or just drink a clear slaty broth. It will help. Honest! There is no need to suffer. It's an electrolyte imbalance. Those in ketosis should not feel that way unless your nutrients and minerals are out of whack. No one would stick with ketosis if that was the way you were supposed to feel.
The benefits of ketosis is usually easier weight loss (mainly for those with some insulin resistance) and better health. Many of us have steadier and increased energy. It is great for the brain once you have been doing it for a few weeks; the brain often runs better on ketones. insulin is usually lower and blood glucose levels fall. Endurance athletes notice they are less likely to "hit the wall".
I guess that's why my husband who is diabetic and insulin resistant is faring better than I am. I feel as if I'm in a brain fog. I haven't lost any weight yet, either, but I'm also tracking, and I'm still eating the same number of calories, just distributed differently.
The LCHF diet may be suited better to him for weight loss. It would have nothing to do with the brain fog though. That is caused by low sodium. Have you increased your sodium / salt?robin_spooner wrote: »Thanks for all the advice. I took an extra potassium capsule this morning and a magnesium citrate. I also broke down and had a glass of orange juice. I know it's a no-no on low carb, but I'm really suffering. The weird thing is my husband initially resisted the diet and is doing great, but I'm having a hard time. However, he's diabetic and significantly overweight (actually obese by the BMI), but I'm normal weight. Maybe he's got lots of potassium and sodium in reserve?
By the way, what is the benefit of ketosis (Dr. Ludwig doesn't mention it in his book), and why is it worth going through all this suffering?
Ketosis is making your body sick on purpose in order to lose weight. In nature, it is only used if we get the flu or have food poisoning. It only goes so far before the body hunger signal kicks in and your body rebels. Yo yo dieting results.
There is a high carb diabetic diet out there that may be more align with the natural human diet. We are starchivores and have sugar receptors on out tongue, not protein receptors like true carnivores so ( dogs, cats, lions, etc.). Also, every cell in the human body runs on glucose so your carb reduction is causing imbalances which are showing up as headaches. I can't remember the name of the book but you could google the topic and the book and/or the doctor's name should come up. Ketosis is not a state of illness. You use ketones every night while you sleep unless you are getting up every couple of hours to eat. I'm afraid you are misinformed on the topic of ketosis.
Starchivores? For diabetics? I can't see anything healthy about that.... And like us, dogs are not true carnivores like cats are.
Ketosis is what happens in starvation. Starvation causes weight loss. Extreme ketosis as in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life threatening condition.
Or...
Ketosis is what happens when you don't have to worry about clearing the blood of excess glucose in order to stay healthy. Ketosis is what happens if you don't eat for a full night (albeit at low levels).
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life threatening condition that occurs in type 1 diabetics when their glucose and ketones are excessively high because they are life threateningly low on insulin. It isn't a situation that people without type 1 diabetes need to worry about.
But yes, ketosis will occur during starvation, and thank goodness for that or you would be a goner much much faster... Fasting would be a horror rather than a tool for achieving better health.0 -
Thanks for all the advice. I took an extra potassium capsule this morning and a magnesium citrate. I also broke down and had a glass of orange juice. I know it's a no-no on low carb, but I'm really suffering. The weird thing is my husband initially resisted the diet and is doing great, but I'm having a hard time. However, he's diabetic and significantly overweight (actually obese by the BMI), but I'm normal weight. Maybe he's got lots of potassium and sodium in reserve?
By the way, what is the benefit of ketosis (Dr. Ludwig doesn't mention it in his book), and why is it worth going through all this suffering?
@rosebette you like those of us who are living in nutritional ketosis will do just fine. As you can tell at your house it varies from person to person. Be careful about acting on advice from social media especially if they have never done what you and your husband is doing. My first six weeks I do not lose even 1 pound but I did lose some inches. Later I dropped from 250 to 200 and have been maintaining at 200 for the last year.
It was for joint and muscle pain relief that I tried living in a state of nutritional ketosis. Because it worked out well for me I keep doing. It fixed my IBS after six months and improved my health and health markers.
What will it do for you is unknown today. My first 90 days was a step learning curve. Thankful two weeks after I cut out sugar and all processed foods (grains) my carb cravings started to fade fast so my calories dropped automatically because my eating order resolved (never getting full on carbs) .
There is no absolute reason to do keto to lose weight. It is just one of many options. In my case I looked at is as 'fully reversible' barbaric surgery but without as much initial physical pain. It works for me. If it did not I would not be doing it 18 months later. Eating my macro is second nature and love being able to still eat all I want and have my life back at age 65.
Best of success to both you and your husband. Sometimes men find nutritional ketosis easier because we have a one track mind.
Check out Dr. Peter Attia the sample Google search below if interested or any of the other links. Tweak the search words to find studies, etc. I make my on decisions base on reading research mainly but I have a background in science and healthcare which helps some with the terminology.
https://google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=health+benefits+of+nutritional+ketosis
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aimeesun213 wrote: »Thanks for all the advice. I took an extra potassium capsule this morning and a magnesium citrate. I also broke down and had a glass of orange juice. I know it's a no-no on low carb, but I'm really suffering. The weird thing is my husband initially resisted the diet and is doing great, but I'm having a hard time. However, he's diabetic and significantly overweight (actually obese by the BMI), but I'm normal weight. Maybe he's got lots of potassium and sodium in reserve?
By the way, what is the benefit of ketosis (Dr. Ludwig doesn't mention it in his book), and why is it worth going through all this suffering?
Sodium is the one you need to increase. Add a teaspoon of salt to water or just drink a clear slaty broth. It will help. Honest! There is no need to suffer. It's an electrolyte imbalance. Those in ketosis should not feel that way unless your nutrients and minerals are out of whack. No one would stick with ketosis if that was the way you were supposed to feel.
The benefits of ketosis is usually easier weight loss (mainly for those with some insulin resistance) and better health. Many of us have steadier and increased energy. It is great for the brain once you have been doing it for a few weeks; the brain often runs better on ketones. insulin is usually lower and blood glucose levels fall. Endurance athletes notice they are less likely to "hit the wall".
I guess that's why my husband who is diabetic and insulin resistant is faring better than I am. I feel as if I'm in a brain fog. I haven't lost any weight yet, either, but I'm also tracking, and I'm still eating the same number of calories, just distributed differently.
The LCHF diet may be suited better to him for weight loss. It would have nothing to do with the brain fog though. That is caused by low sodium. Have you increased your sodium / salt?robin_spooner wrote: »Thanks for all the advice. I took an extra potassium capsule this morning and a magnesium citrate. I also broke down and had a glass of orange juice. I know it's a no-no on low carb, but I'm really suffering. The weird thing is my husband initially resisted the diet and is doing great, but I'm having a hard time. However, he's diabetic and significantly overweight (actually obese by the BMI), but I'm normal weight. Maybe he's got lots of potassium and sodium in reserve?
By the way, what is the benefit of ketosis (Dr. Ludwig doesn't mention it in his book), and why is it worth going through all this suffering?
Ketosis is making your body sick on purpose in order to lose weight. In nature, it is only used if we get the flu or have food poisoning. It only goes so far before the body hunger signal kicks in and your body rebels. Yo yo dieting results.
There is a high carb diabetic diet out there that may be more align with the natural human diet. We are starchivores and have sugar receptors on out tongue, not protein receptors like true carnivores so ( dogs, cats, lions, etc.). Also, every cell in the human body runs on glucose so your carb reduction is causing imbalances which are showing up as headaches. I can't remember the name of the book but you could google the topic and the book and/or the doctor's name should come up. Ketosis is not a state of illness. You use ketones every night while you sleep unless you are getting up every couple of hours to eat. I'm afraid you are misinformed on the topic of ketosis.
Starchivores? For diabetics? I can't see anything healthy about that.... And like us, dogs are not true carnivores like cats are.
Ketosis is what happens in starvation. Starvation causes weight loss. Extreme ketosis as in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life threatening condition.
@aimeesun213 that is factual but what we are talking about here is nutritional ketosis like I have been doing for the past 18 months. A person that is not making any insulin themselves any longer can develop DKA but those people should be under a doctor's care. Anyone should be under a doctor's care that comes to this website in my view but I may be biased.
Do you have first hand experience living in a state of nutritional ketosis?0 -
Any weight loss is the result of ketosis. Any time calorie burn exceeds calorie intake, we are ketosing. I became very ill in a state of ketosis due to (undiagnosed) diabetes, suddenly lost 30 pounds without trying, then had a stroke. My situation is unique of course. I know weight loss and maintaining a normal weight is beneficial. I don't wish to argue. I am just concerned about extreme diets and disordered eating.0
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By the way, what is the benefit of ketosis (Dr. Ludwig doesn't mention it in his book), and why is it worth going through all this suffering?
https://authoritynutrition.com/10-benefits-of-low-carb-ketogenic-diets/
For me, personally, here's a list I randomly typed up after being on a lower carb (not necessarily ketogenic) diet for 2-3 weeks.
Down 9 pounds
Stomach not as bloated
Digestive system not constantly cranky
Wrists don't hurt
Shoulders hurt much less
Less constant ringing/itching in my ears
More energy
Muscles aren't aching
Not freezing all the time (just part of the time)
Depression/anxiety is lifting
Cravings seem to be almost gone
More energy
Happieraimeesun213 wrote: »Any weight loss is the result of ketosis. Any time calorie burn exceeds calorie intake, we are ketosing. I became very ill in a state of ketosis due to (undiagnosed) diabetes, suddenly lost 30 pounds without trying, then had a stroke. My situation is unique of course. I know weight loss and maintaining a normal weight is beneficial. I don't wish to argue. I am just concerned about extreme diets and disordered eating.
Some of us would argue that the amount of carbs in the standard American diet constitutes an extreme diet and disordered eating. If you plan to do something considered an "extreme diet", including ketosis, make sure you're following the directions for the plan that you're on and find a group of people who've been there to answer questions. I've heard many people say they can't do low carb because they get the low carb flu, but they didn't realize that you need more salt on a low carb diet.0 -
aimeesun213 wrote: »Any weight loss is the result of ketosis. Any time calorie burn exceeds calorie intake, we are ketosing. I became very ill in a state of ketosis due to (undiagnosed) diabetes, suddenly lost 30 pounds without trying, then had a stroke. My situation is unique of course. I know weight loss and maintaining a normal weight is beneficial. I don't wish to argue. I am just concerned about extreme diets and disordered eating.
I can see where DKA is on your mind since you went through it with LADA/T1D. I have been told that is a horrible experience.
Please rest assured that nutritional ketosis will not trigger DKA or cause the onset of T1D / LADA. In fact, a LCHF diet can make T1D management simpler because less insulin is required and BG spikes are much lower. It is not disordered eating, simply another way to balance one's macros (hopefully) within a healthy diet framework.0 -
I couldn't do a diet that gave me headaches, fatigue or other flu-like symptoms. Since I started eating high carb (60% and over), I haven't actually had one headache.0
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I would becareful taking so many magnesium and potassium tablets. Electrolytes are not something you want to play with. If you set them out of whack too much, it can have very serious (even lethal) consequences.
The kidneys dump and eliminate excess magnesium, potassium and sodium very effectively if they are functioning normally.0 -
So, I've been following Dr. Ludwig's Always Hungry diet with my spouse. It's a lower carb, but not no-carb diet. No grains or starchy vegetables, except for beans and legumes are allowed. I'm also allowed dairy and fruit, except for bananas and higher GI fruits. I've felt surprisingly full on the diet and actually have trouble finishing my evening meal. However, I now have a fairly acute headache that's lasted about a day and a half. Is this typical of a lower carb regimen?
You might benefit from extra sodium, especially if you're drinking a lot of water, and/or peeing a lot. I don't need the extra salt now that I've been on LC for months, but definitely needed it for at least a few weeks.0 -
aimeesun213 wrote: »Any weight loss is the result of ketosis. Any time calorie burn exceeds calorie intake, we are ketosing. I became very ill in a state of ketosis due to (undiagnosed) diabetes, suddenly lost 30 pounds without trying, then had a stroke. My situation is unique of course. I know weight loss and maintaining a normal weight is beneficial. I don't wish to argue. I am just concerned about extreme diets and disordered eating.
Your illness was due to diabetic ketoacidosis - a state that cannot be achieved even by prolonged fasting, without impaired insulin mechanisms. You had an impaired insulin mechanism that you were unaware of (as do many people) - but it was the impairment, not the diet, that caused diabetic ketoacidosis. That is a very valid reason for urging people to work in conjunction with their doctors to make sure they do not, as you did, have undiagnosed conditions that would make contemplated changes in a diet unhealthy.
To equate a low carb diet with starvation (an inflammatory word in this context), and particularly to connect it with diabetic ketoacidosis (a state the diet, itself, cannot create) doesn't help people make informed decisions about how to manage their relationship to food.0 -
aimeesun213 wrote: »Thanks for all the advice. I took an extra potassium capsule this morning and a magnesium citrate. I also broke down and had a glass of orange juice. I know it's a no-no on low carb, but I'm really suffering. The weird thing is my husband initially resisted the diet and is doing great, but I'm having a hard time. However, he's diabetic and significantly overweight (actually obese by the BMI), but I'm normal weight. Maybe he's got lots of potassium and sodium in reserve?
By the way, what is the benefit of ketosis (Dr. Ludwig doesn't mention it in his book), and why is it worth going through all this suffering?
Sodium is the one you need to increase. Add a teaspoon of salt to water or just drink a clear slaty broth. It will help. Honest! There is no need to suffer. It's an electrolyte imbalance. Those in ketosis should not feel that way unless your nutrients and minerals are out of whack. No one would stick with ketosis if that was the way you were supposed to feel.
The benefits of ketosis is usually easier weight loss (mainly for those with some insulin resistance) and better health. Many of us have steadier and increased energy. It is great for the brain once you have been doing it for a few weeks; the brain often runs better on ketones. insulin is usually lower and blood glucose levels fall. Endurance athletes notice they are less likely to "hit the wall".
I guess that's why my husband who is diabetic and insulin resistant is faring better than I am. I feel as if I'm in a brain fog. I haven't lost any weight yet, either, but I'm also tracking, and I'm still eating the same number of calories, just distributed differently.
The LCHF diet may be suited better to him for weight loss. It would have nothing to do with the brain fog though. That is caused by low sodium. Have you increased your sodium / salt?robin_spooner wrote: »Thanks for all the advice. I took an extra potassium capsule this morning and a magnesium citrate. I also broke down and had a glass of orange juice. I know it's a no-no on low carb, but I'm really suffering. The weird thing is my husband initially resisted the diet and is doing great, but I'm having a hard time. However, he's diabetic and significantly overweight (actually obese by the BMI), but I'm normal weight. Maybe he's got lots of potassium and sodium in reserve?
By the way, what is the benefit of ketosis (Dr. Ludwig doesn't mention it in his book), and why is it worth going through all this suffering?
Ketosis is making your body sick on purpose in order to lose weight. In nature, it is only used if we get the flu or have food poisoning. It only goes so far before the body hunger signal kicks in and your body rebels. Yo yo dieting results.
There is a high carb diabetic diet out there that may be more align with the natural human diet. We are starchivores and have sugar receptors on out tongue, not protein receptors like true carnivores so ( dogs, cats, lions, etc.). Also, every cell in the human body runs on glucose so your carb reduction is causing imbalances which are showing up as headaches. I can't remember the name of the book but you could google the topic and the book and/or the doctor's name should come up. Ketosis is not a state of illness. You use ketones every night while you sleep unless you are getting up every couple of hours to eat. I'm afraid you are misinformed on the topic of ketosis.
Starchivores? For diabetics? I can't see anything healthy about that.... And like us, dogs are not true carnivores like cats are.
Ketosis is what happens in starvation. Starvation causes weight loss. Extreme ketosis as in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life threatening condition.
Ketosis is what happens when your body uses fats for energy and is a completely normal process and part of all of our lives on a daily basis. The fat used for energy can be dietary fat or body fat. Humans can use both glucose or fats for fuel.
Ketoacidosis is a medical emergency that happens to untreated diabetics and requires some pretty extreme malfunctioning of the body in order to occur.
It is important to not conflate a normal body process with an extreme illness.0 -
jwcanfield wrote: »Have you also cut out caffeine? There's a withdrawal process there as well.
This was my question as well, given that she's not all that low carb.0 -
No, I haven't cut out caffeine. Ludwig says 2 cups of coffee a day are fine, and that's about what I have. If we had to give up coffee, my husband would never stick to the plan, as he's a major caffeine junkie. I have started feeling a bit better since I've increased potassium and salt. Still, I'm looking forward to Phase II that starts a week from now, where we're allowed moderate amounts of starchy vegetables and some whole grains (but no bread yet).0
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Sleeper1968 wrote: »Can we please stop the utter woo around low carb diets being the super duper bestest thing ever, please? It does not cleanse the blood, the brain does not operate consistently better on ketones over long durations, and it does not offer any meaningful health benefits over a well balanced carb rich diet.
If it were as awesome as it's being made out to be it would be used by the overwhelming majority of top class athletes. It isn't.
Low carb diets are a perfectly acceptable means of losing, maintaining, or even gaining weight. They're just not any better than any other sensible diet.
Welcome to MFP!! LOL0 -
@rosebette you like those of us who are living in nutritional ketosis will do just fine. As you can tell at your house it varies from person to person. Be careful about acting on advice from social media especially if they have never done what you and your husband is doing. My first six weeks I do not lose even 1 pound but I did lose some inches. Later I dropped from 250 to 200 and have been maintaining at 200 for the last year.
It was for joint and muscle pain relief that I tried living in a state of nutritional ketosis. Because it worked out well for me I keep doing. It fixed my IBS after six months and improved my health and health markers.
What will it do for you is unknown today. My first 90 days was a step learning curve. Thankful two weeks after I cut out sugar and all processed foods (grains) my carb cravings started to fade fast so my calories dropped automatically because my eating order resolved (never getting full on carbs) .
There is no absolute reason to do keto to lose weight. It is just one of many options. In my case I looked at is as 'fully reversible' barbaric surgery but without as much initial physical pain. It works for me. If it did not I would not be doing it 18 months later. Eating my macro is second nature and love being able to still eat all I want and have my life back at age 65.
Best of success to both you and your husband. Sometimes men find nutritional ketosis easier because we have a one track mind.
Check out Dr. Peter Attia the sample Google search below if interested or any of the other links. Tweak the search words to find studies, etc. I make my on decisions base on reading research mainly but I have a background in science and healthcare which helps some with the terminology.
https://google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=health+benefits+of+nutritional+ketosis
[/quote]
Your profile pre-keto is very similar to my husband's current condition; in fact, he's heavier than you were. He's in his late 50s, diabetic, has chronic joint pain, IBS (the time he spends in the bathroom since going on this new program has been cut in half), etc. So, reading your story is encouraging that this might be the right path for him, especially as he is already beginning to see the positive effects. As a normal weight person with a healthy diet that included moderate carbs who went from feeling pretty good to pretty terrible, I've found the program hasn't worked as well for me. However, reading many of the posts are encouraging me to stick to the program at least when he's around, especially as we near the end of the first week and I'm seeing the improvement in him already.
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