Ketosis Side Effects

Those who are willing to lose weight through dieting, are opting for Ketogenic Diet. It is one of the most popular low carb diet these days. This is one such diet plan where the intake of carbohydrate is very low and is rich with proteins and fats. Our body is used to obtain energy from dietary source of carbohydrates. When the carbohydrate content is reduced in a diet, it is forced to obtain energy by burning off fats. This results in minor shift in the normal metabolism process of the body, as it starts obtaining its energy from fats and not carbohydrates. This change in the metabolic process can affect the digestive system. Dehydration and constipation are some of the common side effects on Ketogenic diet that are being often observed in the beginning of the diet program, while the ketosis side effects usually show up after 3 - 7 days.

How does Ketosis Help in Weight Loss?

As the body is breaking down fats to obtain energy, a substance named ketone is being produced in the process. In the initial few days, the ketones that are formed in the body are excreted through urine and the level of ketones remain balanced. Later, continuous rise in accumulated ketones in the body lead to the abnormal condition which is referred to as ketosis. One of the side effects of ketosis is lack of appetite. As a result, the person on diet lose the interest in food and can manage without eating anything. This effect motivates one to stick to the diet plan for a long time and is proved to be beneficial for weight loss.

Side Effects of Ketosis

There are several ketosis side effects. The most common side effect that people talk about ketosis, is loss of hunger. Some people rejoice on this effect as it helps them to lose weight but all of them cannot tolerate this condition. This lowers the energy levels in them and they start feeling unwell. Due to low energy, they suffer from minor problems like headache, mental dullness, temporary dizziness etc. In some people, it can cause nausea and diarrhea. They may also feel sluggish mobility, as more energy is required in breaking the fats for production of usable energy for the body. Bad breath is another side effects of ketosis. This happens because the bacteria and enzymes of the digestive system changes due to the shift in metabolism.

Some people face problems if they consume artificial sweeteners, coffee, some of the vegetables, etc. Some research studies suggest that ketosis can cause damage to the blood vessels by increasing the level a certain chemical substance known as methylglyoxal. If the diet program continues for a long time, the ketosis condition can lead to more severe health complications. They include kidney stones, heart palpitation, gout, osteoporosis, calcium deficiency, etc. Though, many researchers argue that these health conditions may not be the ketosis side effects. Rather, they are caused more because of the lack of nutrition and some kind of metabolic complexity.

In diabetic patients, ketosis can lead to a health conditions known as ketoacidosis, when the blood becomes highly acidic. Apart from minor symptoms, like vomiting and confusion it can lead to serious consequences like coma or even death. Hence, they should stay away from this diet program. Ketogenic diet is strictly not recommended for pregnant women, alcoholics and patients suffering from any kidney or liver diseases. Read more on ketosis symptoms.

However, the side effects of ketosis will affect a person depending on the stage and the individual's ability to deal with it. At any point of time, if you feel that you cannot tolerate the ketosis side effects, you should abandon the diet program immediately. Apart from weight loss, ketosis have some other health benefits too. It is used to treat some health conditions like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and epilepsy seizures in children.