Once you start the keto diet, anything fatty that has been stored in your body will be released into your bloodstream as you start to burn off the fat. So, a week into this diet, the infamous Keto Flu comes into the picture. This is when your body enters the glycogen phase, where all the carbs in your bloodstream have already been burnt off, and now glycogen (carbs stored inside muscles) is starting to be burnt.
What is Keto Flu?
A few days after starting keto, people have reportedly experienced blurry vision, a sort of brain fog, and physical lethargy to the point of even being unable to walk upstairs. Excessive thirst, night sweats, inability to focus, nausea, and headache from sugar and carb withdrawals are also other common symptoms. No matter which symptom you acquire, know it will go away in five days at max.
Keto flu is primarily caused by:
1- An imbalance of electrolytes after starting the keto diet and/or dehydration. The water weight has been shed off and your body has started to produce ketones from the burnt fats. In scientific terms, one molecule of glucose is stored in 5 molecules, so releasing that amount of energy sponges off almost 5 times the water stored in your body.
2- Also, fat-soluble toxins are now being released at the same time, so your liver is now working double shifts to eliminate them. And that’s when you start to feel like crap.
What to Do?
If your body is accustomed to eating a lot of burgers and pizzas or lots of sugar, then it is going through withdrawal when you start a ketogenic diet, in the simplest terms. Replacing that with electrolytes is always an effective cure. Stuff like lemon juice and enough sodium, magnesium, and potassium-enriched drinks usually help keep your body balanced and see if it helps.
NAC Supplements also help in reducing or even preventing keto flu symptoms as they typically support phase 1 and 2 of your liver detoxing. Most people need more supplementation, and if nothing else, having a mug full of salty broth or bouillon also helps. Keto flu typically lasts for about 2-5 days, so don’t be too scared by the internet stories and know anyone can do it just as easily! Just drink a bunch of electrolytes and make sure to pick a lazy week work-wise to start keto. Honestly, who knows, you might not even get it if you take the appropriate precautions.