I’ve been following the keto diet for two and a half weeks now, and something interesting has happened. Before starting keto, I used to breathe heavily, especially after meals. But now, even after having keto meals, my breathing has returned to normal. It’s a positive change that I’m really happy about. I always thought that keto would eliminate my gasping issue, and it turns out many other minor problems have also improved during my journey.
Your observations are correct. Research conducted on mice has shown that a high-fat, moderate-protein, and low-carb ketogenic diet can actually help alleviate gasping. Let’s delve into how this works.
We all know that our bodies need to convert food into fuel through a process called metabolism, which requires oxygen. During this process, energy is produced, along with carbon dioxide as a waste product that we exhale.
Interestingly, when our bodies break down carbohydrates, they produce a higher amount of carbon dioxide compared to the number of oxygen molecules used. On the other hand, when fats are broken down, they produce a lower amount of carbon dioxide for the same number of oxygen molecules used. So, by adopting a diet low in carbohydrates and rich in fats, it becomes easier for us to breathe.
Additionally, the keto diet often leads to weight loss. As a result, people tend to experience less shortness of breath when they carry less body weight.