help: magnesium, flu, and the wagon?
tierrafuego
Posts: 34 Member
I've been reading this thread for weeks now and appreciating, quietly, all the info and support it provides. I've been LC for 5 weeks and steadily increasing % of fat to hit about 70% this week, keeping carbs to 5%. I have a lot of weight to lose but have loved LCHF recipes and program generally. And it's been working (down 25lbs in 5 weeks, which is awesome). But I'm finding it increasingly hard, all week. To wit:
1) terrible constipation. I've been using smooth move tea, and it works most of the time. But not for the last 3 or 4 days, ugh.
2) I felt great for weeks but am feeling weak, tired, worn down and flu-ish at this stage. I believe I've been in keto for most of the last five weeks (sticks confirm it, as does general good feelings and high energy). Does it make any sense for keto flu to hit this far into the program?
3) Perhaps b/c of #1 and #2, I'm very close to falling off this wagon, and I don't want to. I just took a (big) bite of a cranberry bar, the first bite I've had that's anything other than pure-play straight-up LCHF in five weeks. Ack--scary to me as I'm not ready to give up on this.
Can you guys please help? What do I do about the chronic constipation? And is this the flu or is my body really asking for something it's not getting? Should I be doing some sort of cycling to give my body a bit more carbs (I'm keeping under 20 gross carbs most days)? Would easing up and then going back in be a good thing or is that just me looking for an excuse to eat crap? And do I need a magnesium supplement? That whole line of inquiry totally confuses me..
Thanks greatly for all responses.
1) terrible constipation. I've been using smooth move tea, and it works most of the time. But not for the last 3 or 4 days, ugh.
2) I felt great for weeks but am feeling weak, tired, worn down and flu-ish at this stage. I believe I've been in keto for most of the last five weeks (sticks confirm it, as does general good feelings and high energy). Does it make any sense for keto flu to hit this far into the program?
3) Perhaps b/c of #1 and #2, I'm very close to falling off this wagon, and I don't want to. I just took a (big) bite of a cranberry bar, the first bite I've had that's anything other than pure-play straight-up LCHF in five weeks. Ack--scary to me as I'm not ready to give up on this.
Can you guys please help? What do I do about the chronic constipation? And is this the flu or is my body really asking for something it's not getting? Should I be doing some sort of cycling to give my body a bit more carbs (I'm keeping under 20 gross carbs most days)? Would easing up and then going back in be a good thing or is that just me looking for an excuse to eat crap? And do I need a magnesium supplement? That whole line of inquiry totally confuses me..
Thanks greatly for all responses.
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Replies
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The 'flu' is a symptom of electrolyte imbalance. This can happen to anyone at any time. Even seasoned LC followers.
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10358179/keto-flu-dizzy-weak-tired-headaches-cramping-muscles-electrolyte-imbalance-may-be-your-problem#latest
Please read this post for more information about the electrolytes. They are key.
As for the constipation, some magnesium may help. Any magnesium form that ends in '-ate'. Try to avoid magnesium oxide, or else you may have the opposite problem you're having now.
Some people find eating more fat helps keep things moving. Some more fibre. This is a very individual experience.1 -
Ditto all of the above. Try using just olive oil as a salad dresing for problem #1. Also though not a laxative, anything containing sugar alcohols (Atkins bars) has the same effect for most people but proceed with caution!2
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A long shot - dehydration?
You might try urine ketone test strips and see what color you, er, blow. It seems to be a fairly common experience that nice fall colors (like maroon) are more likely attributable to dehydration than to rampant ketosis.1 -
I only got relief from constipation by eliminating fiber. Before that I took high doses of magnesium and would drink a triple espresso if it got real bad.
Is it actually constipation or have you just not gone in a few days?
Constipation will have symptoms of heaviness and an uncomfortable gut. Most people find they go less often on LC.
However, I went back to a daily schedule upon going zero carb.1 -
Thanks all. I worked electrolytes, got some magnesium & will see how it goes from here. Regret the mid day slip but gonna move forward.2
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I have just brought some Kruschen Salts they are really cheap and are supposed to be a awesome digestion aid and help remove toxins, they are mainly magnesium sodium potassium sulfate chloride and iodine- has anybody used these? I can find very little info on the net about them, they were very popular in victorian times for weight loss...
I am hoping they will be a nice cheap supplement on keto.0
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