The keto side effects you might not know about

One of the most buzz-worthy diets of the past year has been ketogenic or “keto,” a low carb, high-fat diet that has been touted as a quick and easy way to lose weight.

Celebrities like Halle Berry, LeBron James and Kourtney Kardashian are all fans of the diet, which trains the body to use fat instead of carbohydrates as a source of energy through a process called ketosis.

While the diet has many benefits, including reducing appetite and lowering blood sugar, there are several side effects that can make following the strict diet a less than pleasant experience.

The Keto Flu

Many people experience what’s known as the keto flu or carb flu when they begin following the high fat, low carb and moderate protein diet.

On the keto diet, carbohydrate intake is restricted to under 50 grams per day, which can shock the body and cause “withdrawal-like symptoms” such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, muscle cramps, difficulty sleeping and dizziness.

Symptoms typically only last for a week, but many people have reported experiencing the keto flu for longer.

Bad breath

“Keto breath” is one of the most common side effects of the body being in ketosis. By sticking to the low carb diet, the body doesn’t have enough glucose to use as energy and begins to burn fat. When this happens, fatty acids are converted into ketones, which are secreted into the bloodstream. These acids contain acetone, and many people have said their breath begins to smell like nail polish remover, which contains acetone as an ingredient.

Not everyone experiences bad breath on the keto diet but many have said that staying hydrated and chewing sugar-free gum can help with this embarrassing side effect until the body adjusts to the new diet.

Keto rash

Prurigo pigmentosa is a rare inflammation of the skin that has been linked to those in ketosis. Nicknamed the “keto rash,” some people have reported developing a red, itchy rash on the upper back, chest and abdomen. It is most common in Asian women in their twenties and thirties.

It should be noted that the keto rash can occur in people who are in ketosis, which can occur in other ways besides following the low carb diet.

People managing their diabetes or fasting have been known to have elevated levels of ketones and can develop a rash due to changes in gut bacteria.

Keto rashes typically go away on their own, but experts recommend visiting a dermatologist if you experience a rash that lasts longer than two weeks.

So if the keto diet is something you have been considering, at least now you know what you should be aware of.

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