Ketotic Flu Or Keto Flu

KETOTIC FLU OR KETO FLU

There’s these flu like symptoms you will experience when you start a keto diet program or when you are fasting beyond 24 hours.

We are on a 72 hour fast and most of us who are attending the fast have experienced this along the way.

This is normal. It is because, your body is deprived of food and glucose coming from carbohydrates consumption. It then turns to your fat stores to burn fat and gives you ketone bodies which are the best energy sources for your body.

When fasting, you clear blood glucose, then clear glycogen(temporary storage form of glucose in the liver), and now you head to the fat cells to burn the fat.

Glycogen in the liver binds to water. When you burn it out, you are bound to lose water and electrolytes ( Magnesium, Potassium and sodium).
This brings in some dehydration and therefore the headaches.

Also, as you fast, you bring down insulin levels. The sudden drop in insulin causes kidneys to excrete more sodium. Insulin is a water and sodium retaining hormone.
This is why people with diabetes are more likely to get hypertension. This is not a salt problem, it is an insulin problem(sugar).

Above all, the body tries to adapt. The shift is not an easy process for the body. Moving from carbohydrates dependence to fat adapted states is tough. The body fights back and you end up with body weakness which lasts for a few hours.

Don’t break the fast just because you got a headache or flu.

Simply;

• Rehydrate with salt and water
• Keep busy, go for a walk or read a book
• Take a rest.

When you break the fast, be slow on it. You might get a slight diarrhea due to clean up. It might also come because you were in a hurry to eat and you broke the fast the wrong way.

Below are some of the symptoms of a keto flu;

• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Dizziness and lightheadedness
• Mood swings
• Insomnia
• Muscle cramps and soreness
• Sugar cravings
• Trouble concentrating.

Be aware.