Ketosis: Definition, Keto Diet, Symptoms, and Side Effects

The body is a complex thing. So many intricate and nuanced aspects are present in the body that can make or deteriorate its functioning at times. Ketones are one such thing. Essentially, ketones are acids that are formed in your body during the process of fat molecules breakdown. This is not usually supposed to happen. Your cells in the body should use blood glucose for energy, and not fat. When you eat carbs, your body turns them into sugar. If your body is deprived of this sugar, it will have to use fat to break down and convert it into energy, leading to the formation of ketones

Ketones are acids. Ketosis is a metabolic process. At times, people encourage ketosis as they follow a diet plan usually called keto weight loss plan, which is an attempt to lose weight. It may be successful or unsuccessful depending on your body type, any underlying conditions, medical diagnosis, your routine, etc. In a keto diet, the carbohydrate intake is very low. The mechanism behind this is that it aims to burn the unwanted fat from the body, forcing it to burn the fat to use for energy rather than carbs.

Some people also experience ketosis as a result of medical conditions like diabetes. This can happen as T1Ds or T2Ds do not have enough insulin in the body. In people with type 1 diabetes, extreme ketosis can lead to other issues like Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) Additionally, supplements like keto advanced 1500 are also known to reduce body fat if people do not want to go on a strict diet. 

What is Ketosis?

A deeper understanding of ketosis can help you look into it more effectively and can lead to the mitigation of any symptoms associated with it. When your body is functioning normally and optimally, the primary source of energy for your cells would be glucose molecules. This is obtained from carbs in the diet, sugars, foods with starch, etc. These are broken down into simple sugars and are either used as glucose or stored in the liver and muscles in the form of glycogen. When glucose is not enough in the body, an alternate strategy is adopted wherein the fats are broken down. 

The ketones that develop are a by-product of this process. These acids build up in the blood and are eliminated along with urine. In small amounts, they may not be unhealthy as they might be an indicator that the body is breaking down the fat. However, higher levels of ketones in the body can be poisonous leading to a condition called ketoacidosis. 

In simpler terms, ketosis can be referred to as the metabolic state wherein the body converts its fat stores into energy, releasing ketones as by-products in the process.

What is a Keto Diet?

Many people now are engaging in a new trend of keto weight loss with the help of a keto diet. This diet aims to facilitate the process of weight loss by creating a state where the body has to break down its fat reserves. This diet is usually high in fat. In a meal plan carefully devised for a person who specifically wants to follow this diet, 20% of the calories might come from protein, 10% might come from carbs and 70% of it might be fat. There are multiple versions of this diet that can be curated and tailor-made to a person’s requirements. It can lead to weight loss. 

To enter a state of ketosis, you may either need tablets like keto burn or you may need to eat around 20 to 50 grams of carbs in a day. The exact carb intake might be determined upon consultation with a dietician. Reduce any carbohydrate-filled food from your diet like – grains, potatoes, fruits, candies, ketchup, soft drinks, etc. 

Symptoms

If you want to check the efficiency of your pure keto burn pill or your keto diet, you can look out for certain symptoms that can act as indicators of the fulfillment of ketosis:

• Bad breath due to excess acetone in the body
• Weight loss
• Decreased appetite
• Headache
• Nausea
• Confusion and brain fog
• Fatigue and extreme lethargy

Several other indicators like keto flu, headache, tiredness, upset stomach, etc are also common during ketosis. You can also check whether you are in ketosis with the help of a blood test or urine analysis. Ketones between 0.5 to 3.0 mmol/L would indicate the presence of ketones . Also know about sugar in urine test.

What are the benefits of ketosis?

People largely use the keto advanced 1500 pill or engage in active ketosis due to the certain benefits it seems to offer. Long-term health benefits can be achieved with the help of ketosis, however, there is not much research on the topic. It is also true that the same diet or keto burn supplement may work differently on different people owing to their characteristics. Here are some benefits that have come to light:

• Epilepsy – This neurological condition where people experience recurring seizures can be managed to a certain extent with the help of a ketogenic diet. Especially in children, this diet is known to significantly reduce the occurrence of seizures.
• Weight loss – The most popular reason why keto suddenly became popular, particularly among millennials and Gen Z is due to the concept of keto weight loss. Owing to the supremely low carb diet and the reliance of the body on the fats in the body. People tend to feel less hungry, however, strict adherence to this diet will lead to long-term effects
• Type 2 diabetes – Some studies have proven the effectiveness of a keto diet in T2Ds. It can be helpful to manage blood sugar levels however, there is a strong risk for hypoglycemia. Therefore, always consult a professional before beginning a keto diet if you are living with diabetes.

Ketosis and diabetes

In people with diabetes, ketosis can occur on its own if the body does not have enough insulin to process the level of glucose. In case of the presence of ketones in the urine, it can be a strong indicator of diabetes not being under control. Some dieticians may recommend a pure keto burn supplement or a keto diet to people with type 2 diabetes. This is because there is still a limited amount of insulin that can be produced in their bodies. Since people with diabetes aim to consume fewer carbs, it can be a healthy diet for them. Also read about urine sugar level

What are the Side Effects of Ketosis?

Keto weight loss is surely popular, however, it also comes with certain downsides and risks. It may not be suited for everyone.

• Short-term side effects – headache, fatigue, constipation, dehydration, bad breath, etc. These can disappear in a few days after the commencement of the diet
• Kidney stones can be another side effect of the condition
• Development of bad cholesterol and certain nutrient deficiencies
• The restrictive nature of the diet may not be suitable for people who have a history of eating disorders. 
• Diabetic ketoacidosis can be a life-threatening condition, especially in mothers who are breastfeeding. 
• People prone to extreme hypoglycemia should also consult a medical professional before beginning a keto diet

Also read about uses and side effects of sugar tablet

Bottomline

A keto diet can be helpful in many conditions and it can also promote healthy weight loss in many people who follow this diet strictly. However, because this diet can be restrictive and limiting, a few side effects and risks are also reported. Your diet plan can be suited to your needs and requirements. Consult your doctor before you begin a keto diet, particularly if you have any underlying condition.

FAQs

What organ does ketosis affect?

Many long-term side effects of a keto diet or constant ketosis can lead to excessive fat build-up in the liver, kidney stones, protein imbalances, etc. It would be important to rule out any issues regarding these organs before beginning a keto diet.

How long can you stay in ketosis?

You cannot be in ketosis forever, when you have just begun the diet, it will take about 2-6 weeks for the ketogenic adaptation phase to happen in the body. Post that, you can follow the diet for a minimum of three months with a small break after that so that your body can also get a chance to process whole grains and other foods.

Who should not do the keto diet?

Mothers who are breastfeeding, people prone to issues in their liver, kidneys, and gallbladder, people who report extreme and frequent bouts of low sugars, persons with thyroid abnormalities, heart issues, etc should not engage in a keto diet.

How do I protect my kidneys on a keto diet?

If you have recently shifted to a keto diet, it would help to keep your sodium intake in check. You could also drink a lot of fluids so that your urine is less concentrated. Add low-carb vegetables to your plan since fruits are off the cart in a keto diet to protect your kidneys.

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